A bankrupt man has denied failing to disclose a house sale alleged to have netted him more than £50,000 and obtaining £27,000 of clothes by fraud.

Stuart Hirt, of Larken Drive, Bushey, pleaded not guilty to five charges at St Albans Crown Court on Monday.

The 56-year-old has been charged with omission in a statement of affairs by a bankrupt under the Insolvency Act, for allegedly failing to declare receipt of £56,804.96 on February 15 from the sale of 13 Hillersdon Avenue, Edgeware.

Hirt is also accused of removing property required to surrender as a bankrupt between February and June 2006, namely the £52,000 from the alleged house sale.

Forgery allegations claiming Hirt produced a letter dated October 2, 2006, to induce the Official Receiver to accept it as genuine, were also denied.

The defendant will also stand trial for allegedly obtaining services dishonestly by falsely representing that a Nat West bond would mature in March 2005, in return for payment for clothes valued at £27,050.06 from Lucia Strickwarenfabrik A G.

Judge Stephen Warner released Hirt on bail for trial in February.