A HUSBAND and wife have appeared in court, charged with embezzling more than £100,000 from an Alloa firm of mortgage brokers and financial advisors where she worked as a secretary.

John Humphries, 49, and Karen Humphries, 46, are accused of embezzling £106,150 from Alloa-based Solicitors Financial Services (Central Scotland) Ltd between July 2012 and July 2016, while Karen Humphries was employed as a secretary there.

They face a second charge of acquiring and possessing criminal property, namely sums of money totalling £106,150, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act.

At a preliminary hearing at Stirling Sheriff Court today (Tuesday), the couple, of McAlpine Court, Tullibody, Clacks, entered pleas of not guilty to both charges.

Sheriff Pino di Emidio ordered them to re-appear at a further preliminary hearing on October 24 for a trial date to be set.