A COMPANY director has been charged with swindling more than £330,000 from his London-based firm.

Police arrested 48-year-old David Watmuff at his former home in Ganbrook House, Broughton Gifford, four years ago after the alleged deception was uncovered.

Watmuff, who now lives in The Vineyards, Bath, is accused of embezzling the money from Gainsbridge Poundbury Ltd.

The London real estate company, based on Tower Bridge, folded in November 1999 after going into voluntary liquidation.

Appearing at Trowbridge Magistrates Court on Thursday, Watmuff faced 15 charges of obtaining property by deception, two charges of using deception to gain services, one charge of false accounting and one charge of possessing a firearm without a lawful certificate.

The deception charges date back to January 1998.

Anna Humphries, prosecuting, said time would be needed to prepare the case.

He will next appear before magistrates in Trowbridge in May to be committed to crown court.