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FORMER ABTA head of legal affairs Riccardo Nardi made his first court appearance last week to face charges that he swindled Newman Street out of at least £120,000.

Nardi and his wife Samantha, who are both 37 and from Pulloxhill, Bedford, are alleged to have participated in the scam while he headed up ABTA’s much-publicised crackdown on industry fraudsters.

The pair spoke only to confirm their identity during the 10-minute appearance at Horseferry Road Magistrates Court in London. Both had sombre expressions and looked straight ahead in the dock, only occasionally nodding during the proceedings.

They were bailed to appear again on June 29.

Prosecutor Nicholas Mesure told the court Nardi is alleged to have set up a bogus travel company - Sunbeam Europe - and then claimed £120,470 from ABTA in relation to the genuine collapse of agent Crouch End Travel.

Nardi, wearing a navy blue suit with an open neck blue and white checked shirt, had earlier been charged with 24 counts of deception, with his wife facing nine similar charges. No charges were officially read to the court.

The couple were bailed on condition they do not apply for international travel documents. Nardi has already surrendered his passport to the police, and Mrs Nardi was given 24 hours to do the same.

ABTA is trying to recover £960,000 from Nardi in a separate High Court case. Its writ accuses him of fraud, misrepresentation and/or breach of fiduciary duty and/or knowing breach of trust.