A MAN was due to appear in court today charged with attempting to defraud an Oxford resident of several thousand pounds by posing as a pest control operator.

Richard Melhuish, 23, of Aldermaston, Berkshire, was charged yesterday with fraud by false representation under new legislation in the Fraud Act of 2006.

Police said the charge was in connection with an attempt on Saturday to defraud a resident of Howard Street, East Oxford, of several thousand pounds by posing as a pest control operator.

A 14-year-old boy was also arrested in connection with the incident, but he was released without charge.