The founder of international aid charity ShelterBox appeared at the Old Bailey in London on Monday accused of fraud.

Thomas Henderson, 63, the Helston-based charity’s chief executive, is charged with carrying out a five year scam on the disaster relief organisation between 2007 and 2012.

He also allegedly tried to steal 1,000 tents from the charity, which provides emergency shelter and supplies to communities hit by humanitarian crises.

His son John Henderson, 34, and another man Darren Gervis, 41, are also accused of taking part in the alleged fraud.

The three men appeared at the Old Bailey for a short preliminary hearing.

They did not enter the dock and stood in the well of court to confirm their names. No pleas have been entered.

The court heard they are applying to move the case out of London to a court in Cornwall, which will be decided at the Old Bailey on December 19.

Thomas Henderson, of Barbican Way, Helston, faces two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position and one of fraud by abuse of position between July 2007 and July 2012 and a charge of attempted theft in August 2008.

John Henderson, of Copper Hill, Hayle, is charged with theft of property, possession of a shotgun without a firearms licence, possession of a firearm and two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position.

Gervis, of Meadowside, Mosterton, Beaminster, Dorset, is charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position between March 2010 and April 2012.

Judge John Bevan QC continued their conditional bail until the next hearing.