A LADBROKES employee charged with scamming the firm out of thousands of pounds has elected to face a trial by jury.

Nick Fryer, of Pegasus Road, Oxford, appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court today charged with one count of theft by employee.

The 36-year old pleaded not guilty to stealing £7,000 between November 24 and December 29 2017.

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The offence is alleged to have taken place while Fryer was working at the betting shop in Oxford.

Magistrates declined to hear the case at the lower court and the matter was sent to Oxford Crown Court.

Fryer will next appear at the crown court for a plea and trial preparation hearing to be held on February 8.

He was released on police bail in the meantime.