A former employee of Chelmsford City Council has been jailed for fraud and theft totalling over £200,000.
David Archer, who worked as play services manager for 25 years, has been jailed for three years after admitting one count of theft and fraud.
Mr Archer dishonestly made payments of £232,000 to an external company while working for the council, but actually pocketed the money himself.
Senior investigating officer, DCI Paul Maleary, said: ‘We are satisfied with the outcome of the investigation and subsequent sentencing. It is quite right that the term of imprisonment reflects the crime.
‘Stealing monies from the public purse is extremely serious and is compounded by austerity measures affecting the all public sector departments this case is an extreme breach of trust that cannot be tolerated.’
Mr Archer resigned from the council after being suspended in 2010. The council said it would seek to recover the stolen funds.
