Parish clerk stole 60% of its annual budget

A parish council's former clerk who stole just over £64,000 from it has been jailed for 18 months.

Steven Gillingwater, 36, of Kendal Close, Slough, was employed by Colnbrook with Poyle Parish Council in May 2023 to look after its administration and finances.

He used the parish council's cheque book to write 18 cheques for himself and forged the signature of a councillor who was required to sign them.

Det Sgt Georgina Adey, of Thames Valley Police, said Gillingwater stole 60% of the parish council's annual budget.

She said Gillingwater had portrayed himself as an "upstanding member of the community" but abused the position of trust he was put in.

"The sentence reflects the severity of the offence and I hope it will act as a deterrent to others and demonstrate our commitment to pursue those who exploit trust for financial gain and bring them to justice on behalf of victims," Adey added.

Gillingwater was sacked by the parish council in October 2023 and was arrested in February 2024.

He was jailed at Reading Crown Court on 26 May having admitted one count of fraud by false representation in March relating to £64,328.

Another count of theft by employee will remain on his file.

In a statement, the parish council said Gillingwater's offending had "ramifications for [the council] and its residents".

"Much councillor and staff time has been spent on the matter to bring it to a conclusion, and we are very pleased that the court has reached the conclusion it has," it added.

"We now look forward to moving forward with council business and putting this difficult and upsetting episode firmly behind us."