ARMY Major Charles Ingram has appeared in court to face five new charges relating to a £32,000 insurance fraud.

Ingram (39) had already been charged with two counts of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception before he appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday.

Ingram, formerly based in Upavon, is alleged to have obtained an insurance policy with Zurich Municipal by lying about his insurance history in his application between June and August 1997.

He is also accused of a similar charge with insurers Direct Line in July 2001.

He pleaded not guilty to these charges at an earlier hearing held in Salisbury.

Last week four fresh charges of obtaining a money transfer by deception and one count of attempting to obtain money by deception were put to him.

Ingram is charged with fraudulently claiming a total of £1,695 and an unvalued watch from his home contents insurance with Zurich Municipal between 1998 and 2000.

He is further charged with attempting to falsely claim £30,000 from his insurance policy with Direct Line in 2001.

After confirming his name to the court, Ingram pleaded not guilty to each of the five new charges as they were read out by the court clerk.

He had arrived at Bournemouth Crown Court earlier with his wife Diana (39) at his side.

The pair donned dark sunglasses as they walked from their car to the court building in the bright sunshine.

Dressed in a cream suit, purple checked shirt and purple silk tie, Ingram took his place in the dock of court number five while the charges against him were read out.

Ingram, who served with the Royal Engineers, was given unconditional bail by Judge Samuel Wiggs.

His case was adjourned and he will face trial at a date and venue to be confirmed.