by Keith Hunt

Thirteen people - 12 of them from Kent - have appeared at Maidstone Crown Court accused of a conspiracy to defraud Thomas Cook of about £235,000.

Prosecutor Jonathan Higgs said the case concerned the alleged fraudulent use of credit cards to pay for luxury holidays abroad, including the Caribbean.

In the dock were: Pauline McKenna, 37, of St Pauls Close, Strood; Nikki McKenna, 28, of Pattenden Gardens, East Peckham; Jason McKenna, 40, of Pattenden Gardens, East Peckham; 38-year-old Louise Allgood, 38, of Richmond Road, Gillingham; Matthew Allgood, 31, of Howick Close, Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford; Pauline Checksfield, 62, of Howick Close, Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford; Cheryl Dawson, 21, of Clive House, Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford; Clive Whyte, 47, of William Baker House, Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford; June Stacey, 43, of Quarry Road, Maidstone; Norman Pooley, 44, of Lunsford Lane, Larkfield; Tina Walkling, 46, of Simpson Road, Snodland; Haley Donlon, 21, of Wordsworth Road, Maidstone; and Chris Farquharson, 41, of Eliot Bank, Forest Hill, London south east London.

Judge Andrew Patience QC adjourned the hearing until September 14, when pleas are expected to be entered. A provisional trial date was set for January 4 next year.

Unconditional bail was continued for the 13.