Clerk who stole over £18,000 from parish councils to be sentenced at crown court

Paul Adrian Illingworth, 64, pleaded guilty to five charges of theft when he appeared at Lincoln Magistrates Court by video-link today. (Friday)

Illingworth, of the Old School, Church Lane, Scredington, near Sleaford, admitted the following charges:

1, Theft of £1,926.90 from Pointon and Sempringham Parish Council.

2, Theft of £12,138.03 from Ropsley and District Parish Council.

3, Theft of £2,130.90 from Helpringham Parish Council.

4, Theft of £2,490 from Carlton Scroop Parish Council.

5, Theft of £201 from Old Somerby Parish Council.

All the theft offences occurred between June 1, 2015 and June 30 this year.

District Judge Peter Veits committed the case to Lincoln Crown Court for sentence on a date to be fixed.

The judge told Illingworth: “Clearly this case is too serious to remain in this court.

“This is clearly fraud over a period of time from parish councils who trusted you with their accounts.”

Illingworth was granted bail until he is sentenced.