Tom Henderson, the founder and former chief executive of ShelterBox, and his son have both denied charges via video link in the Old Bailey that they defrauded the charity.

Last year Henderson, 64, from Helston in Cornwall, was charged with attempted theft and fraud while he was chief executive of ShelterBox between 2007 and 2012. He was dismissed from Shelterbox in 2012 amid claims of conflicts of interest. Henderson also faces one charge of misusing a company credit card.

Henderson appeared at the Old Bailey alongside his son, John, 35, who is also facing charges of fraud as well as one charge of illegally possessing a firearm.

A third man, 42-year-old Dennis Gervis, also appeared via video link to deny charges that he assisted the Hendersons by fraudulently setting up a company to hide their dealings.

Henderson has also been accused of trying to steal 1,000 tents from the charity, which provides emergency shelter and disaster relief to affected communities all over the world. 

After leaving ShelterBox in 2012, Henderson formed another charity, Shelter for Humanity, in April 2013, which went on to change its name to 'Byond' in early 2014. He stepped down from his role as trustee of that charity after his arrest in 2012.

The trial of the three men is scheduled to start in September at the Old Bailey. All men remain on bail.