Gang accused of ripping off Children in Need and Red Nose Day appear in court

All the accused are from Lancashire and are male.

The case follows a two year Lancashire Police investigation into charity fund raising for national charities such as Red Nose Day, Children in Need, Great Ormond Street Hospital and other household names.

The alleged leader is David Levi, 46, of Clifton Drive South, St Annes who faces a series of allegations including money laundering and deceiving the public .