A FORMER councillor who defrauded nearly £4,000 from parish funds has been given a community order.

David John Phelps used his position as a financial officer for Witton-le-Wear Parish Council, in County Durham, to convince members to sign cheques he would later make out to himself.

Bishop Auckland Magistrates’ Court was told the 57- year-old father, from St James Gardens, in the village, was buckling under financial pressures.

His deception first came to light when councillors noticed that £2,500 missing from the accounts for 2008-9. At first they took no action because the service engineer, who was elected in 2000, had already repaid the cash.

But when further investigations revealed £1,450 was missing from 2007-8, his colleagues felt they had no choice.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud yesterday.

Alison Nunn, prosecuting, said Phelps had caused fellow councillor Eugene Brady much concern and disappointment.

“He had known him socially for many years, which made the disclosure very saddening for him” she said.

She said that Phelps’ crime amounted to a breach of trust.

Magistrates heard he had since repaid the £3,950 stolen.

Robert Willoughby, mitigating, said Phelps’ difficulties were rooted in being made redundant as a salesman and missing out on relied-on bonuses.

He said Phelps was then “robbing Peter to pay Paul”, but was extremely remorseful and felt he could not share the burden with his wife.

He was challenged by his colleagues while on holiday in Cornwall and the court heard he later considered suicide.

In a letter to councillors he said: “My debt problems are my responsibility and I only have myself to blame for my overall position – in particular the position I put myself and my friends at the parish council in.”

Mr Willoughby added: “That in itself is significant punishment, he will have to live with the stigma of this case. Everyone in the village is aware of his offending. They thought quite highly of him.”

Magistrates gave Phelps a 12 month community order with supervision and 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs.