A FORMER headmaster of a top independent school in Teignbridge faces a trial at the Old Bailey next month for alleged charity fraud.

Philip Bujak (pictured above), who lived in Coffinswell and ran Stover School before leaving in 2003, will appear in the dock with a married couple from Newton Abbot – Andrew and Julie Penny – who are charged with conspiracy to defraud.

Mr Bujak, 56, of Haywards Heath in east Sussex, is also the ex-chief executive officer of the Montessori St Nicholas Charity, a job he took up after his departure from Stover 13 years ago.

Together with Mr Penny, 53, a supplier to Montessori, and 51-year-old Mrs Penny, he is charged with conspiracy to defraud.

The educationalist and author is further accused of furnishing false information relating to accounts and two matters of fraud by false representation.

An investigation was launched after staff at Montessori passed information to police in late 2014 with Mr Bujak being arrested in January 2015.

The charges stem from a probe into alleged fraud matters against the Montessori charity between 2007 and 2013, including alleged conspiring with others for financial gain from the sale of a school building in London.

Two other men in their 40s from the London area are charged with conspiracy to defraud and false representation.

All five appeared before City of London magistrates on April 18 when they were committed for trial at the Central Criminal Court.

A pre-trial preparation hearing is due to be held on May 16.