A BUILDING supervisor lost his job of 25 years with a North-East council after being caught overseeing work "on the side".

Robert Russell Tippins, 53, arranged for three Chester-le-Street District Council bricklayers to build a conservatory extension at a private house.

Durham Crown Court was told the unnamed householder paid him £700 for the building materials. Tippins pocketed the money and ordered the materials through a council supplier, with the council footing the bill.

The men were building the conservatory at the house in Thirlmere, in Vigo, Birtley, at a time they were supposed to be working on a council property, in Pelton.

Tippins, of Station View, Chester-le-Street, admitted theft of £902 worth of building materials and was given a two-year probation order.

Amanda Perry, mitigating, said that, at the time, Tippins had debts and his position had been downgraded, resulting in him earning £300 less a month.

Jeremy Hargrove, prosecuting, said Tippins had since resigned, "rather than being pushed", while his pension arrangements with the council are yet to be considered.

He is now on invalidity benefit, awaiting an operation to remove a prolapsed disc