A businessman is being hauled before a judge accused of refusing to pay into his employees’ pension funds.

Lee Bartholomew, 44, allegedly evaded his duty to pay employee pension contributions at 1066 Target Sports Ltd, a shooting sports centre in St Leonards.

Businesses are obliged to enroll their employees in a pension scheme and should take a percentage from their staff’s wages and ensure the money is paid in – unless the staff are self-employed.

The case is being brought by the Pensions Regulator which alleges Bartholomew took money from his employees’ salaries but failed to pay it into their pension plans.

Bartholomew, of Lockside, in Tonbridge, Kent, is also facing two further charges for failing to provide information requested under Sections 72 and 77 of the Pensions Act 2004.

He will appear at Brighton Magistrates on March 24.