A THIRTY-three-year-old Carlisle man has appeared before a court to face three money-laundering charges.

Paul Okosun has yet to enter a plea to the three charges, which involve theallegedly illegal acquisition of more than £13,000 on dates between September 2016 and December of that same year.

The victims whose money was said to have been taken were an individual and a company, according to Crown Prosecution Service lawyers.

Their email accounts were allegedly hacked so that the money could be taken.

In court, Okosun, of Carleton, Carlisle, spoke only to confirm his name and address and to say that he was not at this stage in the case ready to enter his pleas.

The defendant was represented by defence lawyer Tariq Khwam.

Magistrates sitting at Carlisle's Rickergate court declined to accept the case, ruling that it would be more appropriately dealt with by Carlisle Crown Court. Granting the defendant unconditional bail, they adjourned the hearing and sent the case to the crown court for a hearing on April 8, when Okosun is likely to enter his plea.