Major in 'Millionaire' trial accused of insurance fraud

Charles Ingram, the army major in the Who Wants to be a Millionaire trial, appeared in court yesterday accused of fiddling his insurance.

Ingram, 39, from Easterton in Wiltshire, was remanded on bail by Salisbury Crown Court after facing two charges of dishonesty.

The major, who serves with the Royal Engineers, is accused in the first count of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception between June and August 1997.

The charge alleges that Ingram obtained an insurance policy with Zurich Municipal by lying about his insurance history in his application. On the second count, Ingram is accused of having taken out a policy with Direct Line insurance in July 2001 by lying about the number of insurance claims he had made in the previous three years.

Ingram, who appeared in court wearing a charcoal pinstripe suit and blue tie, spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the court's instructions.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges at a hearing in October last year.

The case was adjourned for a further preliminary hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on 5 June.

Ingram, who was remanded on unconditional bail, left the court with his wife, Diana, who had sat inside the courtroom during proceedings.

The major, his wife, and a college lecturer, Tecwen Whittock, received suspended sentences last month after Ingram scooped the £1m prize in Who Wants to be a Millionaire, aided by Whittock's coughs.