The leader of Ashfield District Council has been found guilty of nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion.

Following a verdict from the jury at Northampton Crown Court, council leader Jason Zadrozny has been confirmed guilty of the allegations, which will result in him being sentenced at the end of November.

Accusations were made that Cllr Zadrozny, 46, had established a fake heritage group to defraud Nottinghamshire County Council out of £7,500.

The Ashfield Heritage Society was set up in 2018 as a means of providing ‘support [for] heritage projects in Ashfield’, according to Cllr Zadrozny.

However, jurors heard that Cllr Zadrozny had later transferred the funds received from the county council to his personal account, with prosecutors alleging that a portion of the sum was spent on a house that he purchased with friends.

He was also alleged to have neglected to pay tax on four rental properties.

Cllr Zadrozny is said to have denied the accusations and claimed that the funds received had been used for the community – specifically, for repair and maintenance works on local war memorials.

Judge David Herbert KC told him: ‘You have been convicted by the jury. Please understand in my mind is an immediate custodial sentence, given the nature of these offences. The breach of trust element makes them particularly serious.

‘Please don't think because the sentencing is not today that it won't be an immediate custodial sentence.’

A spokesperson for Ashfield District Council said: ‘The council is aware that the court proceedings involving Councillor Zadrozny have now delivered a verdict.

‘The council will now follow the appropriate legal and democratic processes. We will continue to deliver our services and undertake our responsibilities for residents, businesses and communities.’