A man accused of three counts of charity fraud and one drug offence has made his first appearance before magistrates.

They adjourned it until January 6 for the case to be heard at Cambridge Crown Court.

Alek Sire, 39, of The Black Hart Public House, Main Road, Thorney Toll, gave no indication of plea at Peterborough Magistrates Court today (October 18).

Sire, who has previously been known as Sir Alek Gregory Sire and Sir Raphael Merlotte, was arrested at the former Black Hart public house at Thorney Toll on Friday October 4.

Magistrate Ken Sheraton accepted jurisdiction over the trial but Sire asked for it to be sent to crown court.

Sire has been granted unconditional bail.

He is alleged to have committed three counts of fraud by false representation against Fenland District Council between August 9 2013 and October 4, the day of his arrest.

Sire started up ‘The Rose Project’, a limited company registered with Companies House.

He is accused of falsely claiming the Rose Project was a registered charity with a registered charity number 8530025 occupying 108 Norfolk Road, Wisbech, 3-4 Oldfield Lane, Wisbech, and The Black Hart, Thorney Toll.

He is also alleged to have falsely claimed he had a PHD and other qualifications to help with his application.

He is also charged with possession with intent to supply a Class B drug.

The drugs charge alleges that during a search of his house on October 4, 44.5g of cannabis, with a street value of £445, was found in a plastic container in a bedroom cabinet.

Sire has previously run a launderette and health and well being centre in, March.

The Rose Project first appeared in Wisbech in May and at one time worked with the Wisbech food bank to hand out 263 items for local people in need.

Sire had described himself as chairman of the Rose Project.

The Rose Project itself is shown on Companies House records as being a limited company with Sire as managing director.