By-election trial to start today

Seven people will appear at Douglas Courthouse today charged with election offences.

The trial, which could last up to seven weeks, centres around an alleged voting scam in the 2009 Douglas East by-election.

The contest between six candidates was eventually won by Chris Robertshaw MHK.

Thirty-five days of court time has been set aside for the case, which will be heard by Deemster Turner.

Fifty-five-year-old Charles Lewin of Crosby, 24-year-old Kerry Rothwell and 25-year-old Catherine Liggins, who're both from Onchan, face charges of conspiracy relating to proxy votes, forging public documents, theft and committing corrupt election practices.

Meanwhile, 38-year-old Gail Corrin from Cronk-y-Berry, Marc Bonser, who is 19, and 21-year-old Mark Weir deny three conspiracy offences.

And 50-year-old Geoffrey Callister is charged with several offences of forging documents with intent to deceive.