Former policeman stole from Hastings community

4:00pm Friday 16th May 2008

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A former military policeman stole £4,000 from one of the poorest communities in the country while he was chairman of its residents' association.

Frederick West, 62, helped himself to petty cash and wrote cheques for up to £100-a-week.

He persuaded other officers of Broomgrove Community Association in Hastings to countersign the cheques by saying they could trust him because he was an ex-policeman.

The cash crisis threatened the future of the association's community centre in Chiltern Drive but a spokesman said it was now safe thanks to the work of volunteers.

West, of Chiltern Drive in Hastings, who is seriously ill, was spared prison after admitting theft when he appeared at Hove Crown Court on Wednesday. He was given a nine-month prison term suspended for two years and was ordered to wear an electronic tag. West was also given a sixmonth curfew.

Steve Manwairing, director of Hastings Voluntary Action, said: "In effect he has pleaded guilty to taking money from one of the most deprived communities in England.

"The association has worked tirelessly to ensure that it can continue its work in the community."

Peter Hofford, prosecuting, said West was chairman of the association and manager of the community centre when the money went missing in 2005 and 2006.

An audit of the association's accounts was carried out after concerns were raised.

Mr Hofford said: "He was a Ministry of Defence policeman for about five or six years. This was one of the reasons other members were happy to countersign his cheques.

"He effectively said to them, I am a former police officer, do you think I would do anything below the belt?'"

Ian Potter, defending, said West denied saying he could be trusted because of his past but accepted stealing the money.

He added: "He accepts that what he did was an abuse of his position of trust."