A MAN has been charged with three counts of fraud and perverting the course of justice in relation to the "Roger Curry appearance" case.

Simon Hayes, 52, of Henlade, Taunton, was charged today after being on bail for almost two years.

Mr Curry, who is from America, became the centre of an international investigation after he was found outside Hereford bus station in November 2015.

With no identification, Mr Curry, who is believed to be in his 70s, was unable to say who he was or where he had come from.

It was only by the efforts of a Panorama investigation that Mr Curry’s true identity – and nationality – was known.

Hayes was arrested in April 2016 on suspicion of kidnapping Mr Curry, who has dementia. He has not been charged with kidnap.

He will appear at Hereford Magistrates Court at the end of next month.

Hayes has previously told the Hereford Times that his life had been put on hold while the CPS decide whether to charge him.