A MAN has denied defrauding a relative of nearly £80,000 to pay for escorts and gambling. 

Rupert Clarke, 59, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on November 18 charged of abusing his position of power of attorney. 

He is alleged to have taken £79,445 between January 1 and June 30, 2019, off a relative in Hartley Witney. 

Clarke, of Scarrington, Nottinghamshire, will stand trial on May 26, next year.