A BIRKENHEAD man who has brought court proceedings against his own sister-in-law following the cremation of his father was barred from prosecuting the case himself on Friday.

Roy Carson is privately prosecuting Appleton woman Denise Carson, alleging that she made false representations on a cremation application.

But at Liverpool Crown Court Judge David Clarke, QC, the recorder of Liverpool ruled that 52-year-old Mr Carson must be legally represented.

The case was adjourned until September 12 when Mrs Carson is to enter a plea. The Crown Prosecution Service has already refused to take over the case and Judge Clarke advised Mr Carson to "reflect very carefully" about continuing with the case. Mr Carson, who is unable to obtain legal aid, alleges Mrs Carson, 56, who is married to his brother Gordon, had made false representations of an application for cremation on January 21 last year.

It is alleged she falsely claimed she was the executrix of her father-in-law, James Thomas Carson; falsely claimed his wife was in hospital, stated near relatives had been informed of the proposed cremation in January last year and that they did not object to it.