A man accused of defrauding an insurance company and perverting the course of justice has gone on trial at Carlisle Crown Court.

Darren Connell, 38, denies three charges in respect of allegations which cover a three-year period dating back to April, 2012.

Connell denies stealing a white Ford Transit van belonging to Hertz Rent-a-Car.

He has also pleaded not guilty to fraud - making a false representation to Carraig Insurance that the van had been stolen and perverting the course of justice - allegedly making incorrect statements to police.

On day one of Connell's trial, prosecutor Richard Haworth opened the case.

Connell was said to have hired the van from Hertz, taking out a rental agreement and insurance. He did so in conjunction with his delivery service, which operated in Cumbria, the north of England and southern Scotland.

But in April, 2012, he reported the vehicle stolen. Police were told it had been taken from outside a house at Bower Street in Carlisle. Initially Connell told his insurer it had gone from his farm yard at Canonbie before stating it went missing from Carlisle.

But in August, 2014, police searched the Canonbie yard. "They found three doors, white in colour, a front panel and an exhaust box," said Mr Haworth.

All featured a unique manufacturer identity mark which matched the "stolen" Transit. One officer later obtained the spare van key from Hertz. This fitted and operated the lock of a door that had been found.

Connell, of Liddle Road, Longtown, was interviewed but denied any wrongdoing.

The trial continues.