Singer PJ Proby In Court On Benefit Cheat Charges

LONDON (AP) - Sixties pop singer P.J. Proby has appeared in a British court on charges of fraudulently claiming benefits.

Proby, who appeared in a court in Worcester on Wednesday, denies the charges. The judge set a March 30 hearing to formally commit him for trial. Meanwhile, he remains free on bail.

The 72-year-old Proby, whose real name is James Marcus Smith, faces nine charges, including failure to declare savings and investments and failure to disclose changes in his circumstances.

The Texas native's hits included "Hold Me" and "Together."

Proby, who has moved back and forth between the UK and U.S., is currently touring with Elvis Presley impersonator Lee King in a show called "One Night of Elvis."