'Fake Autographs' Dealer Charged

Arts and antiques police have charged a man with selling alleged fake autographed books and memorabilia from famous historic figures.

The Metropolitan Police Service art and antiques unit said:

Allan Formhals, 65, an antiques dealer from Milford on Sea, Lymington, Hampshire, has been charged with 16 offences relating to the sale and possession of a quantity of books and other memorabilia purportedly signed by various authors including Winston Churchill, JRR Tolkien, Robert Louis Stevenson and many others.

A spokeperson added: 'Formhals has been bailed to appear before Southampton Magistrates' Court on November 14'.