A Harold Wood woman has denied fraud charges in connection with fundraising pages set up around the time of a demonstration in Bristol that ended with a statue of a slave trader being toppled into the city’s harbour.

Xahra Saleem, 22, of Briars Walk, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (January 3) accused of two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

The protest saw the statue of Edward Colston pushed into Bristol harbour on June 7 2020.

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It followed the death of George Floyd in the US and related to the subsequent global Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

The charges allege on June 24 2020 Saleem "committed fraud in that, while occupying a position, namely director, in which she was expected to safeguard, or not act against, the financial interests of Changing Your Mindset Ltd, she dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely used the funds raised for herself contrary to section 1 and 4 of the the Fraud Act 2006.

"Then on June 29 2020 Saleem committed fraud in that, while occupying a position, namely organiser, in which she was expected to safeguard, or not act against, the financial interests of the ABL Bristol, she dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely used the funds raised for yourself contrary to section 1 and 4 of the the Fraud Act 2006."

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Saleem was taken into court wearing a black niqab and long navy blue trench coat and spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth, and state her not guilty pleas.

District Judge Lynne Matthews told the defendant that due to the seriousness of the case it would have to be dealt with at the crown court.

Saleem will next appear at Bristol Crown Court on January 30.

Reporting by PA.