A PENSIONER from Tilford has pleaded not guilty to stealing more than £100,000 from his dying partner.

John Lowe, an 84-year-old former dog breeder, stands jointly accused of fraud by false representation with Stacy Banner, 41, of Oldbury, West Midlands.

He appeared at Guildford Crown Court via video link from Highdown Prison last Friday to enter his plea and is next due to appear at the same court on March 22 next year.

Ms Banner was excused from last week’s hearing after she entered a not-guilty plea when the duo last appeared in court in March. She will remain on bail until the trial, which is expected to last 10 days.

It is alleged Mr Lowe and Ms Banner “dishonestly” withdrew more than £100,000 from the bank account of Mr Lowe’s partner, Susanna Wilson, between December 1, 2012, and March 30, 2013, “intending to cause loss to her or to expose that person to a risk of loss”.

An application to change the trial venue is expected, with the potential to delay court proceedings until later in 2016.