Man accused of £10,000 rugby club theft

Steven David Bishop-Apsey, of Reed Walk, Newbury, made his first appearance before Newbury magistrates on Thursday, December 18.
He is charged with stealing £10, 787.4 from the club on June 30 last year.
The 36-year-old is further charged with stealing £1,340 from the club on September 14 last year and stealing a debit card belonging to David Cox at the Monks Lane club between July 1 and September 17 last year.
A fourth charge, one of possessing cocaine on September 16 last year, was formally withdrawn.
Mr Bishop-Apsey spoke only to confirm his name and address and to deny all the charges.
Presiding magistrate Nicola Buchanan-Dunlop said the charges were so serious they should be heard before a judge and jury at Crown court, and the bench formally declined jurisdiction.
Mr Bishop-Apsey was released on conditional bail until January 15 next year, when he is scheduled to appear at Reading Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.