Two Newton Abbot men have appeared in court accused of seeking bogus charity donations from shoppers in towns around Devon. 

Jamie Monteiro is alleged to have set up a company which organised the collections, some of which were allegedly made by co defendant Jordan Fletcher.

The two men appeared together for a trial preparation hearing at Exeter Crown Court where Judge Graham Cottle adjourned the case to allow them to obtain legal representation.

Monteiro is alleged to have set up a company which sold periodicals which were supposedly sold to support young unemployed people, but no proceeds were given to charity. 

The two men face a total of eight charges and it is likely their case will be tried at Exeter in the New Year. The total amounts involved are alleged to exceed £36,000. 

Fletcher is alleged to have sought donations last year on behalf of homeless young people in Newton Abbot and for a charity called Save a Heart in Teignmouth.

He is also alleged to have collected money for Shelter on the streets of Barnstaple without passing on any proceeds to the charity.

Fletcher, aged 22, of Bladon Close, Newton Abbot, who is now working as a playground installer, was not required to enter any pleas.

Monteiro, aged 25, of Whitelake Place, Newton Abbot, who is now a serving soldier, is accused of seeking donations in December 2014 for Kids@Xmas by falsely saying the money would be given to buy toys as Christmas presents.

He is also alleged to have produced a leaflet called Youth Recruit Periodical with the intention of using it in fraud. He is also accused of taking donations for Save a Heart in Teignmouth. He did not enter any pleas.

Judge Cottle adjourned all cases until a further hearing next month and released both men on bail.