A CONSERVATIVE councillor has denied stealing £154,000 from a 91-year-old woman.

John Morgan, of Highclere Gardens, Wantage, yesterday pleaded not guilty to theft in Oxford Crown Court.

The 74-year-old is accused of stealing the money from Beryl Gittens, of Newbury, between March 2005 and January 2012.

Mr Morgan is understood to have held power of attorney for Ms Gittens, who died last January.

The Vale of White Horse district councillor has stepped down from his position as vice-chairman of the council’s planning committee.

He also serves on Wantage Town Council.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail before the case came to the crown court, Mr Morgan said: “I have come off the planning committee until this is all resolved, but I am staying on the district and probably the town council. The charge is unfounded, I refute all allegations.”

Mr Morgan has been released on bail and will appear at crown court again on for a trial, which is predicted to last three to four days, on November 25 this year.