Five men, one of them an executive officer with the Department of Works and Pensions, have appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with the misappropriation of more than £50,000.

Rafiq Master 48, of London Walk, Blackburn, is charged with acquiring criminal property, namely £28,889, which was deposited into a bank account in his name, unauthorised access to a computer with intent to commit an offence and fraud by abuse of his position with the Department for Work and Pensions.

Khalid Yusuf, 67, of Wimberley Street, Blackburn, is charged with acquiring criminal property, namely Universal Credit payments paid into his bank account between October 2018 and November 2020.

Mohammed Bharma, 71, of Rhyl Avenue, Blackburn, is charged with acquiring criminal property, namely Universal Credit payments into his bank account between May 2019 and November 2020.

Rafiq Doctor, 47, of Brookfield Street, Blackburn, is charged with acquiring criminal property, namely Universal Credit Payments into his bank account between October 2018 and November 2019.

They were all sent on bail to Preston Crown Court where they will appear on March 18.

Said Raullah, 37, of Hope Street, Blackburn, is charged with acquiring criminal property, namely Universal Credit payments into his bank account between April 2019 and September 2019.

His case was adjourned so that an Afghan interpreter could be arranged.