Bat signal above Bradford as cheque fraud case goes to court

A man dressed as Batman who walked into Trafalgar House police station in Bradford and handed over a wanted man to officers.

Daniel Frayne appeared at Bradford Magistrates’ Court today, nearly a fortnight after he was taken into Trafalgar House police station in the city by his friend, Stan Worby, who was dressed as the comic book hero.

Pictures of 39-year-old Mr Worby in a Caped Crusader costume went round the world before his identity was eventually revealed.

Today, he accompanied Frayne to court but there was no repeat of his costumed antics.

He watched as Frayne, 27, admitted a charge of handling a stolen cheque and another of supplying a cheque with intent to commit fraud.

Magistrates heard that Frayne has 29 previous convictions relating to 49 different offences,

Frayne, of Aspen Court, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, and formerly of Queen Street, Bradford, left court making rude gestures at waiting photographers and swearing at reporters who asked him to comment.

His case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports and he will be sentenced on April 8.

There was no mention of how Frayne was arrested and Mr Worby’s involvement during today’s 20-minute long hearing.

Previously, Mr Worby - a Chinese takeaway delivery driver - has explained how he had returned from watching Bradford City play in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley in his Batman suit when Frayne asked him to accompany him to the police station.

Officers had been trying to find Frayne in connection with the offences he was eventually charged with.

The court was told how Frayne had gone into a cheque cashing shop in Bradford on January 31 and tried to cash a cheque for £300.

Paul Romsey, prosecuting, said a cashier became suspicious and the defendant left, saying: “Eh? How am I going to get my wages now?”

Police found the cheque had been stolen during a burglary at AK Autos, in Bradford.

Kan Dhesi, defending, said Frayne had found the cheque on the street in the Wyke area of the city.

Magistrates were told Frayne has had drugs problems in the past but was now trying to move away from his criminal life.

They were also told Frayne, who is unemployed, was subject to a community order at the time he committed the offences.

The court also heard he has a history of breaching orders.

Chairman of the bench Beryl Eakin released Frayne on unconditional bail and said all options, including prison, were available to sentencing magistrates.