A FORMER manager at Bradford Council has admitted to several counts of fraud - including a charge that he had money intended for the Council paid into his personal bank account.

Simon Jackson, 37, appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to six charges relating to the Fraud Act.

Jackson, of Shaw Lane, Headingley, was a contracts and procurement manager for the Council early last year - the period to which the charges relate.

Magistrates heard that he used his position on the Council, in which he dealt with waste companies, to fraudulently gain money for himself - over £11,000.

He also produced a false bank statement.

The charges were:

 

- On or about 19/02/2019 at Bradford committed fraud in that you dishonestly made a false representation, namely by providing personal bank account to Bradford Waste Traders Ltd for the purpose of receiving payments which were intended for Bradford Council in that between 19 February 2018 and 29 March 2019, intending to make a gain, namely £11,134, for yourself.

- On or about 19/02/2019 at Bradford committed fraud in that, while occupying a position, namely Contracts and Procurement Manager for Bradford Council , in which you were expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of Bradford MDC, you dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely provide personal account details to Bradford Waste Traders Ltd for the purpose of receiving payments that were intended for Bradford MDC , for yourself.

- On or about 01/03/2019 at Bradford committed fraud in that you dishonestly made a false representation, namely by submitting an expense claim form dated 01.03.2019 to Bradford MDC with a false invoice dated 08.01.2019 of NirimaxGroup Ltd , intending to make a gain, namely £423, for yourself.

- On or about 02/04/2019 at Bradford had in your possession or under your control an article, namely an invoice for Nirimax Group Ltd dated 08.01.2019 and 19.02.2019 and also a Bradford Council expense claim period ending 06.01.2019 , for use in the course of or in connection with a fraud.

- On or about 02/04/2019 at Bradford adapted an article, namely invoice Nirimax dated 08.01.2019 and 19.02.2019 , knowing that it was designed or adapted for use in the course of or in connection with fraud.

- On or about 17/04/2019 at Bradford supplied an article, namely false bank statements to Moxon & Barker LLP , intending it to be used to commit, or assist in the commission of, fraud.

Jackson admitted all the charges.

Magistrates decided the matter was so serious that sentencing should take place at Bradford Crown Court, and set a hearing date of December 22.

They were told that Jackson had no previous convictions, and had offered to pay back £8,000 as soon as possible.

After the hearing a spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “As this is an on-going court case, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time except to confirm that Simon Jackson is no longer employed by Bradford Council.”