A SOLICITOR facing a total of 82 charges in connection with an alleged £325,000 legal aid fraud was remanded on bail when he appeared in court today.

John Tate, 50, of Mayberry Grove, Middlesbrough, appeared before Newcastle magistrates on 81 charges relating to 27 alleged frauds.

He faces 27 charges each of forgery, false accounting and dishonestly obtaining money.

He also faces a composite charge that between December 1996 and December 1999 he dishonestly obtained £325,000 from the Legal Aid Board.

Tate, who appeared in court wearing a grey suit, blue shirt and gold-coloured tie, was remanded on bail until August 14.