The theft and fraud trial involving former Bank of Bermuda chief Arnold Todd and three others re-started yesterday after a three-day break.

On the witness stand at Supreme Court was the former conveyancing clerk for Todd's lawyers, Vaucrosson's.

Anne Richmond, giving evidence for the prosecution, told the court that Todd was a regular visitor to the law offices, particularly towards the end of her time with the firm.

She said she had seen him at the Hamilton offices as many as three times a month.

Under questioning from Crown counsel Michael Pert QC, she told of a declaration of trust in favour of Arnold Todd signed by co-accused Varnel Curtis with respect to property in Cloverdale, Devonshire.

She added: "I was told not to keep any copies -- Mr. Todd wanted both copies of the declaration of trust.'' And she agreed with Mr. Pert that the property had been held originally by Curtis, a declaration of trust was made and that the property was subsequently sold on for $160,000.

Mrs. Richmond identified several legal documents concerning property deals involving Todd, land in Turtle Bay, Southampton, Malabar Gate and Stiles Walk and various firms.

The court heard earlier in the trial that Todd was known as "The Chief'' and Mr. Vaucrosson as "The Counsellor'' in a business consortium dubbed "The Group.'' Todd, 56, of Pearman's Hill, Warwick, faces 17 charges of theft, fraud and false accounting.

It is alleged he committed the offences between 1985 and 1990. It is claimed he used his position as a top loan officer at the bank to submit bogus loan applications and created a network of companies to further his schemes.

Also in the dock are importer Curtis, 49, of St. Anne's Road, Southampton; hotel security chief Milton Woods, 61, of Old Road, Southampton and businessman Cecil Durham, 56, of Ramgoat Hill, Smith's Parish.

All face charges relating to the allegations against Todd. The four accused deny all the charges, which involve around $1.2 million in total.

Earlier yesterday, Steven Gibbons, financial controller at Vaucrosson's law firm until 1991.

He identified several transactions from the firm's ledgers from the 1980s concerning cash coming in and going out on various property deals involving Todd and others.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel John Perry QC, Mr. Gibbons agreed he followed instructions from Mr. Vaucrosson or Mrs. Richmond on entries in the ledgers.

And he agreed he had not always seen documentary evidence to support the entries in the books.

Delroy Duncan, representing Curtis, asked if Mr. Gibbons was aware that Vaucrosson's law office had been raided by Police in March 1991. Mr. Gibbons said he had left the firm by then, but knew of the Police search.

He agreed with Mr. Duncan that there had been concerns about the way Mrs.

Richmond conducted the conveyancing side of the law firm and that attorneys and staff, as well as members of the public, had complained about her.

And Mr. Gibbons told the court that some staff had given Mr. Vaucrosson an ultimatum -- that Mrs. Richmond had to go.

He added Mr. Vaucrosson had agreed to get rid of Mrs. Richmond -- but that he had later changed his mind.

The trial before Puisne Judge Richard Ground -- continues.