KENT boxer Mehrdud Takalobigashi has appeared in court accused of benefit fraud.

The 32-year-old, known as Takaloo, and his wife, Sarah, were at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday and denied two conspiracy charges.

The first charge alleges that between April 14, 2003 and September 25, 2006 they conspired to defraud the Department of Work and Pensions by causing others to believe they were not living together as husband and wife.

The second charge alleges that between April 1 and April 28, 2006, they conspired to defraud Thanet District Council by both causing it to be believed they were not living together as husband and wife, and by saying Mrs Takalobigashi was paying rent while she was living in a house owned by Mr Takalobigashi and therefore not paying rent, to obtain benefit.

The couple, Mehrdud of Grange Court, Upper Park, Loughton, and Sarah, of Gainsborough Avenue, Margate, appeared briefly together in the dock and were bailed for their trial, expected to last for five to seven days, and set for November 27.