David Gawn: Theft

David Gawn (Labour)

David Gawn, of Lankers Drive, South Harrow, appeared afresh at Hendon Magistrates’ Court on Monday on a charge of the attempted theft of £7,000 belong to Dennis O’Brien on or before August 5 last year.

His case was committed to Harrow Crown Court and the Labour ward councillor for Harrow on the Hill was granted unconditional bail to appear for a plea hearing there on June 22.

Gawn previously appeared on the same charge twice before at the same magistrates’ court, on January 5 and on February 23, before the court discharged the committal of the case to the crown court, on March 15.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) formally re-charged Gawn and re-registered the case on March 27, leading to Monday’s hearing.

Gawn’s solicitor Julian Prus told the Observer his client will deny the charge.

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Labour Council Leader - Theft

Not so smug now Bill Thomas

Sandwell Council leader Bill Thomas has quit after being charged by police with theft.

Coun Thomas, aged 69, resigned as council leader today, although he remains a councillor. He was one of the West Midlands’ longest serving council leaders.

Deputy Labour group leader Steve Elking has taken over the task of leading the council.

Details of the alleged offence are unclear, but Sandwell Council chief executive Dr Allison Fraser confirmed that Coun Thomas had decided to stand down.

Dr Fraser said: “The council has been notified that a 69-year-old man has been charged with theft.

“We have been advised by police that this is a personal matter. The council has not been approached by police about their investigation.”

Coun Thomas’s decision to quit was reported to shocked colleagues at a Sandwell cabinet meeting this morning.

Coun Eling said: “Coun Thomas’s resignation is for reasons which are wholly unconnected with the council and his role here.

“For us it is business as usual. We have recently strengthened the leadership team by appointing a third deputy.

“I as leader and councillors Pauline Hinton and Darren Cooper as deputies are available to ensure council business goes ahead smoothly.”

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UPDATE 13/11/2009

Former Sandwell Council leader Bill Thomas today admitted a charge of theft as he appeared in court.

Magistrates were told three cheques worth a total of £1,300 had been paid out from a NatWest bank account belonging to the 69-year-old to close friend Gareth Hall between April 21 and 24 last year .

Thomas later reported to the bank that he did not know Hall and the cash was reimbursed, but following his arrest Thomas admitted to police he had known Hall for six years.

The Labour councillor and former headteacher, who was arrested last month and resigned immediately as council leader, had originally vowed to fight the charges before pleading guilty today.

He was handed a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay back the £1,300 in compensation and costs of £145.

The court was also told Thomas, of Viking Rise, Rowley Regis, was stepping down from his role as councillor for the Rowley ward.

Gareth Hall, aged 28, also of Viking Rise, pleaded guilty at Sutton Coldfield magistrates today to fraud by false representation. He admitted using Thomas’ credit card nine times without his knowledge as well as writing cheques belonging to Thomas out to himself.

The case against Hall was adjourned until December 4. He was granted bail.

Thomas refused to comment after the case.

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Conservative Councillor Jailed - Fraud

Not so smug now

A FORMER Tory councillor has been jailed after spending £35,864 on “fine dining and expensive living” and claiming it back on expenses.

Daniel Smy visited London hotels and shops including the Savoy, Royal Horseguards and Selfridges, and claimed for a chauffeur-driven journey from Dorset to the Carlton Club, a court was told.

The former deputy chairman of South Dorset Conservative Association was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday. He pleaded guilty to 10 charges of theft and forgery as chairman of the Portman Building Society’s group staff association.

Smy, 35, of Mount Skippet Way, Crossways, was a West Dorset District Councillor when the 10 offences took place between 2003 and 2006.

Smy – who asked the court to take 86 further offences into consideration – is also ex-chairman of Crossways Parish Council.

Prosecuting, Alison England said he was in a position of trust at the Portman Building Society as he oversaw contributions to the staff association. She said treasurer Diana Stevenson realised Smy’s expenses were inappropriate and challenged him about an invoice for a visit to a Dorchester pub.

When previous claims were looked at, cheques with forged signatures were found. Miss England said Smy spent the money leading a life of fine dining and living in top hotels.

The court was told Smy admitted using his employer’s funds for his own use and saw it as a perk of the job as his £18,000-a-year salary was not enough.

In mitigation Robert Grey said Smy was a man of good character with a history of helping people but had felt “a build-up of stress and isolation” and “got carried away”.

He said Smy was on anti-depressants and was “beside himself with shame”.

The Rev Jaqueline Birdseye from the Moreton Parishes told Judge John Beashel of Smy’s involvement with community projects. But he was sentenced to 12 months for each of the 10 offences with the sentences to run concurrently.

Source

Tags: Conservative, False Statement, Theft, Fraud, Daniel Smy

Conservative Councillor - Theft

Mr Preest represents the Lydney North Ward of the county council A Gloucestershire county councillor has resigned his position on the county's police authority after accepting a caution for theft. Alan Preest, a Conservative councillor, was arrested on Friday in connection with an incident at a supermarket in Lydney and cautioned. A Gloucestershire Police Authority spokesman said the councillor had resigned with immediate effect. Mr Preest was unavailable for comment on Saturday. He represents the Lydney North Ward of the county council.

Tags: Conservative, Theft