A MAN accused of fraud has denied stealing gold coins.

Steven Lawson is accused of conning and then stealing from an 81-year-old man from Colchester.

It is alleged he offered to sell the coins and then kept cash or gold for himself.

Lawson appeared at Ipswich Crown Court via video link to deny both counts.

During an earlier hearing Lucy Miller, prosecuting, told Colchester Magistrates’ Court: “The victim decided early in 2015 he would invest his savings in gold.”

The court heard he bought about £6,000 worth of gold coins on the online auction site eBay, allegedly from Lawson.

It is claimed the pensioner later decided to cash in on his investment and contacted Lawson to help.

The court heard the coins were sent back to Lawson for him to sell.

The victim claimed Lawson sold some for between £3,000 and £4,000 but the remaining gold, or any cash from any other sales, never made it back to him.

Lawson, 40, of Upper Handa Walk, London, was charged with one count of fraud by false representation.

It is alleged, between August 2015 and December 2016, Lawson fraudulently told the victim he would sell the coins and provide him with the proceeds but failed to do so intending to cause a loss to the victim.

A second charge was added when he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court.

It is alleged Lawson committed theft after he stole a quantity of gold coins.

Lawson denied both charges.

A trial is now due to take place at Ipswich Crown Court.

It has been scheduled for some time in the two weeks from July 10.