Council leader admits cheque thefts
Former Sandwell MBC leader Bill Thomas has been ordered to repay £1,300 and given a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to theft.
Thomas, 69, from Sandwell, admitted stealing the money from NatWest Bank between 21-24 April 2008 when he appeared before Sutton Coldfield magistrates.
The court heard how a close friend, Gareth Hall, had cashed three of Thomas’s cheques totalling £1,300 - which was then reimbursed by the bank after Thomas claimed he did not know Hall.
The former headteacher, of Rowley Regis, stepped down as the Labour council leader immediately after his arrest and will resign as councillor for the Rowley ward.
Hall, 28, admitted fraud by false representation, using Thomas’ credit card nine times without his knowledge and forging Thomas’s cheques.
The case against Hall was adjourned until 4 December 4 and he was granted bail.
Thomas refused to comment after the case.
Share
Have your say
You must sign in to make a comment.