A FORMER husband and wife have appeared in court on a range of charges relating to false benefit claims, illegal money lending and prostitution.

Paul Thomas, aged 49, and Ratree Jungern, aged 31, faced Plymouth magistrates on two joint charges of obtaining £25,000 in housing and council tax benefits by making false statements.

Thomas, of Penlee Place, Mutley, has been further accused of inciting a woman to become a prostitute.

He had earlier been charged with six counts of providing credit without a licence on various dates between 2006 and 2009.

Plymouth magistrates heard that the total amount said to be involved was more than £20,000.

His Thai ex-wife Ratree Jungern, formerly of the same address but now living in North Road East, is accused of aiding and abetting her former husband in the unlicensed money lending between the same dates.

They are said to have made loans to members of the Thai community without a licence.

the prosecution jointly brought by Plymouth City Council and the South West Illegal Money Lending Team has been widened to include allegations of encouraging prostitution and false benefit claims.

Thomas faces one charge of inciting a woman to become a prostitute.

The pair face two charges of making false statements to obtain housing and council tax benefit on August 2 2005 and January 3 2007.

It is alleged that in each case, the two said they had no other income or property when in fact they had an income from money lending, from selling games cartridges and that they owned property in Thailand.

Thomas faces a separate, similar charge on October 28 2004.

Thomas indicated 'not guilty' pleas to all the charges and Jungern said 'no plea' to all the charges.

But magistrates ruled that all matters should be heard in crown court, where formal pleas will be entered.

Jungern was released on unconditional bail to appear before a judge on November 16.

Thomas was released on conditional bail to face magistrates again on October 6 while his case is prepared.