[MSN] An antiques expert who regularly appears on BBC's Bargain Hunt appeared in court on Wednesday charged with stealing two paintings worth thousands of pounds from a pensioner.

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TV antiques expert accused of stealing paintings from elderly woman 
  
  
 An antiques expert who regularly appears on BBC's Bargain Hunt appeared in
court on Wednesday charged with stealing two paintings worth thousands of
pounds from a pensioner.

Michael Hogben, 54, the star of BBC shows Bargain Hunt, Real Deal and
Auction Man appeared at Folkestone Magistrates charged with two counts of
theft.

The court heard how the flamboyant TV star allegedly stole a portrait and
landscape painting from the elderly woman's home between June and November
2005.

Prosecutor Anna Kachingwe said the pensioner contacted Hogben, who lives in
Hythe, to ask him to value a number of pieces of antique furniture she
wanted to sell.

"Mr Hogben worked as an auctioneer before selling his business in 2004.

"The defendant took a particular interest in two of the paintings - one a
portrait, the other a landscape.

Ms Kachingwe said Hogben offered to have the paintings valued by an expert.

She claimed Hogben then took them away and that the woman had not seen them
since.

She added: "She has not received any money for them either. The paintings
were not received at the auction house.

"We do not have an exact value for the paintings but we would like this case
to go crown court due to the high value of the paintings that were taken."

Hogben, whose best man at his wedding was TV funnyman Vic Reeves, spoke only
to confirm his name and address in the 10-minute hearing.

The TV star's defence lawyer Jim Morrisson said: "Mr Hogben vehemently
denies these allegations."

The case has been adjourned until January 17 next year.


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