Former treasurer in court on theft charge (From Warrington Guardian)

Former treasurer in court on theft charge

THE former treasurer of Lostock Community Centre has appeared in court charged with false accounting and theft of almost £1,000 from the centre.

Three charges of forgery and counterfeiting against Anthony Hayes have now been dropped.

Hayes, 47, of Station Road in Lostock, denied the charges when he appeared at Northwich Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Prosecuting, Laurence Bestow said although the amounts were relatively high and had been committed over a long period, the new charges were suitable for trial at Northwich Magistrates' Court as its powers were sufficient.

But it is the defendant's right to choose where the case is heard and Hayes elected to have his case tried at Chester Crown Court in front of judge and a jury.

The seven charges relate to a period between February 2004 and May 2005.

The amounts of money involved in the alleged thefts were £110, £29.99, £26.98, £88.12, £109.60. £26.98 and £681.42, making a total of £994.19.

Hayes's original trial, which was due to be heard at Northwich Magistrates' Court on June 20 and 21, has now been vacated in view of the new set of charges.

His case was adjourned until August 3 at Northwich Magistrates' Court when it is expected that committal papers will be served.