A FORMER Sheppey councillor is to stand trial on allegations of trying to cheat the benefits agency.

David Cassidy, 55, of Alsager Avenue, Queenborough, denies four charges, covering a period between 1997 and 2000, of making false representations to obtain benefits.

All the charges allege that, with a view to obtaining job seekers allowance, he failed to declare that he had capital in excess of £8,000.

Mr Cassidy, an ex-Labour councillor, stood in last May's Swale Borough Council elections as in Independent in Sheerness West Ward but failed to win a seat.

His trial is expected to start at Maidstone Crown Court early in November.