Steven Gillingwater, aged 36, from Slough, was jailed for one year and six months at Reading Crown Court last week.

Gillingwater pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation contrary to the Fraud Act 2006, and one and one count of theft by employee contrary to the Theft Act 1968.

Starting in May 2023 he was employed by the lowest tier of local government for the villages of Colnbrook and Poyle, located in the unitary authority of Slough, as a parish council clerk to manage administration and finances.