A BUILDING supervisor has admitted being aware of work being carried out "on the side" by council workers.

Robert Tippins, 53, lost his job of 25 years with Chester-le-Street District Council, in County Durham, as a result of the "private job" coming to light, Durham Crown Court was told.

Tippins previously admitted theft of £900 worth of building materials from the council, at the town's magistrates' court.

He was committed to appear before Durham Crown Court on a further charge of false accounting over incorrectly-filled work sheets.

But when Tippins came before the Crown Court yesterday, prosecuting barrister Jeremy Hargrove said the false accounting charge is to be left on the file.

He said: "He now accepts he acted dishonestly over the use of council employees in council time.

"The allegation is that council property and employees were being used in pursuit of a private arrangement.

"The stolen property was used for building an extension at a house in the Vigo area of Birtley."

Amanda Perry, for Tippins, said it was "a serious matter, involving a breach of trust" which cost him his job.

Sentence on Tippins, of Station View, Chester-le-Street, was adjourned and he was bailed pending preparation of reports on him by the probation service.