A London consultancy boss who played for a top French rugby academy as a teenager has appeared in court accused of fraud. Sam Ballard-Robinson, 33, wore a tweed jacket as he stood in front of the dock at Croydon Magistrates Court on Friday (August 29), facing one count of fraud by false representation and a second count of making an article for use in fraud.

Ballard-Robinson, of Thirsk in Yorkshire, was arraigned on both charges but did not enter a plea. The court clerk read from the charge sheet, which alleges Ballard-Robinson 'created a legal letter purporting to be from HCR Law intending to make gain, namely a sum of £29,111.91' and 'made an article, namely a fake legal letter'. HCR Law is a solicitors' firm based in the City of London.

After rejecting an application to adjourn the

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