Appearing at Southwark Crown Court by video link from Spain, the latest defendant John Dobbs pleaded not guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation. This followed charges issued by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Sussex Police.

Dobbs faces three counts of fraud by false representation related to investment schemes involved in water extraction and bottling in Namibia and New Zealand over a four-year period between May 2015 and July 2019.

At the court hearing today, Judge Arthur Cole said he was ‘slightly surprised’ Dobbs was appearing via video link before the defendant pleaded not guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation.

Dobbs currently lives in Barcelona where he appeared via video link from which is only allowed under special circumstances.