FOUR men have appeared before a Carlisle court accused of being involved in an alleged ‘roofing fraud’ valued at £29,000.

James McMeekin, 20, his father John Joseph McMeekin, 49, Jack Lawson Burton, 28, and Christopher Steele, 30, all indicated that they will deny the charge when it goes before Carlisle Crown Court next month.

All four appeared at Carlisle’s Rickergate court.

In each case, the charge states that between October 2, 2018, and November 2 of the same year, the defendant conspired with others to acquire, use, or possess criminal property – namely £29,000.

Prosecutor Pamela Fee told the court that the sum relates to an alleged “roofing fraud” in Carlisle.

No further details of the allegation were outlined in court.

In court, all four men confirmed their address.

For the McMeekins, it was Ash Green Way, Bishop Auckland, Durham; for Burton, it was Central Grange, St Helen Auckland, Bishop Auckland; and for Steele, it was Tantobie, Stanley, Durham.

Magistrates sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court for a hearing on July 20.

All four were granted bail on condition that they do not contact the elderly man who prosecutors say was the victim.