Hemmings was due to appear at Chippenham magistrates court on 7 April charged with nine counts of fraud.

A court spokeswoman told PrintWeek: "The case has been adjourned for a committal until 2 June."

According to the spokeswoman this could mean that the case is moved to the crown court.

Hemmings became director of Cromwell Press in February 1991, the day it was formed, and remained in the role until the company went into administration on 12 February 2009.

The company was then bought by local businessman John Boden, using a new business Baldwin, which itself failed in September 2010. Boden complained early on that suppliers had failed to support the new business.

Although Hemmings was not a director at Baldwin, it is understood he continued to work at the business.