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Glenn Norcliffe, aged 62, of Marcuse Road, Caterham, Surrey, is charged with four counts of fraud by abusing his position between January 2008 and May 2012. Former Cameo boss Jon King, aged 64, of Mattock Way, Abingdon in Oxfordshire, faces six charges: four of fraud and two of making false statements.

The pair initially appeared before Reading magistrates in October when the case was sent to the crown court.

Mr King, officially declared bankrupt due to a creditors' petition in June 2012, was arrested by Thames Valley Police in January 2013 following an investigation with West Berkshire Council trading standards officers that involved contacting hundreds of former Cameo customers across Britain and abroad. Mr Norcliffe was arrested in March.

Beset by allegations of non-payment, missing goods and credit card irregularities, Berkshire saleroom Cameo Fine Art Auctioneers suspended trading in April 2012. Police launched a criminal investigation shortly afterwards.