A BUSINESSMAN who became a media personality after quitting the North East to start a vineyard abroad has been charged with fraud, The Journal can reveal today.

Tony Hindhaugh left his family life in Morpeth to follow a dream of setting up a wine-making company in South Africa.

The father-of-four – now back in the UK – will next month appear in court to face a fraud charge.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Anthony James Hindhaugh, 39, of High Street, Lindfield, West Sussex, was charged with fraud on April 14 and is due to appear before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court in May.”

Police cannot confirm how much cash is involved, although The Journal understands it relates to a six-figure sum.

The Tynemouth-born father-of-four quit his management job with the Fitzgerald’s pub chain in November 2005 when he decided to pursue a 10-year dream to run his own vineyard in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, an area he visited with his now ex-wife during their courting days.

After securing four investors back in the UK, the dream became a reality when he took on the 125-acre Eaglevlei estate, from which he was soon producing bottles of Shiraz and Pinotage – including one named Beccy’s Blush after his daughter – which sold well at Sainsbury’s supermarkets nationwide.

However, The Journal has learned Mr Hindhaugh parted company with Eaglevlei over a year ago, after the board of investors raised questions over the way the business was being handled.