A trial date has been set for two men charged in connection with a £50,000 Universal Credit 'scam'. 

At Preston Crown Court on Monday (March 18), Mohammed Bharma, 71, of Rhyl Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to acquiring criminal property, namely Universal Credit payments into his bank account between May 2019 and November 2020.

Said Raullah Amiri, 37, of Hope Street, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to acquiring criminal property, namely Universal Credit payments into his bank account between April 2019 and September 2019.

Both men will appear for trial at Preston Crown Court on June 2, 2025, with the trial expected to last two weeks.

A further two men, Rafiq Doctor and Rafiq Master, who have also been charged with similar offences, were not arraigned at the hearing on Monday, with their plea hearings adjourned until June 19.

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.

Master 48, of London Walk, Blackburn, an executive officer with the Department of Works and Pensions, 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.

A fifth man, Khalid Yusuf, 67, of Wimberley Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property, namely Universal Credit payments paid into his bank account between October 2018 and November 2020.

He will be sentenced upon the conclusion of Bharma and Amiri’s trial and the outcome of proceedings against Doctor and Master.

All men were released on unconditional bail until their next court appearances.