A 73-year-old man has appeared on court listings charged with “fraud by abuse of position” while serving as treasurer for a Freemasons lodge.  

Raymond Godby, of Station Road, Abbots Ripton, was listed at Peterborough Magistrates' Court for an initial hearing on Friday (August 9).  

The court listing says the alleged offence happened between July 1, 2018 and September 5, 2022 while he was treasurer at the Stuart Lodge of the Freemasons.

The lodge is based in London.

Details of the charge were limited in the document issued by the court.  

But it does say Godfrey allegedly “dishonestly abused” the position of treasurer “thereby to make gain, namely Stuart Lodge Funds” for himself contrary to Sections 1 and 4 of the Fraud Act 2006. 

Godby’s case has now been referred to Cambridge Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing currently scheduled for September 6, 2024.   

He has been remanded on unconditional bail until his next court appearance.