THE founder and former principal of a flagship free school in Yorkshire and two former staff members have appeared in court charged with fraud.

Sajid Hussain Raza, 42, former head of department Shabana Hussain, 38, and former director of finance Daud Khan, 43, appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court yesterday accused of offences relating to their involvement in Kings Science Academy in Bradford.

Former principal Mr Raza was arrested last year after an investigation into the school, which was visited by David Cameron in 2012.

Mr Raza is charged with three offences of fraud by abuse of position, three offences of false accounting, two of obtaining a money transfer by deception, and one of fraud by false representation.

Ms Hussain is charged with fraud by abuse of position and acquiring criminal property.

Mr Khan is charged with fraud by abuse of position and false accounting.

All three indicated not-guilty pleas.