A former head of fraud and security with Lloyds banking group has appeared in court accused of a £2.5m fraud.

Jessica Harper, 50, Crest Road, Croydon, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court only to confirm her name this morning.

It is alleged that in a three-year period between 2008 and 2011 she used her position at Lloyds to claim almost £2.5m illegally.

She was granted conditional bail to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court for committal on June 28.