THE head of a county's school music service has been accused of attempting to obtain money transfers by deception.

At Teesside Crown Court yesterday, John Allen, 50, of Mill View, Loftus, east Cleveland, denied two charges involving Durham County Council.

Alec Burns, prosecuting, said that Mr Allen had been head of the council's music support services since 1993.

Mr Burns said that shortly after the unit was moved from Darlington to Kingsway, in Bishop Auckland, it was decided to install a security camera system.

He said Mr Allen had submitted a requisition form to the council for the payment of £1,280 for installing the system.

But the invoice was queried by County Hall bosses when it was found that the payment had been sent from Mr Allen's home address.

As a result, Mr Allen was interviewed by staff and, after investigations revealed that the work had not been carried out, he was suspended from his duties.

Later, Mr Allen had asked for his office diary to be sent to him, because he was entitled to claim travelling expenses following the unit's move to Bishop Auckland.

Mr Burns said Mr Allen had also claimed travelling allowances totalling £632 for a period when he was under suspension.

The court was told that, in a statement to the police, Mr Allen said he had submitted the invoice before the system was installed because he wanted it to be paid before the current year's budget expired.

However, it was alleged he gave no explanation about his travel expenses claim.

The case continues