rmer Mayor of Narberth, Clr. Colin Williams, has been sentenced to a 12-month community supervision order and ordered to carry out 160 hours of community service after admitting stealing £400 from the town's football club.

Swansea Crown Court heard how 73-year-old Williams, who was secretary of the club, failed to pay in £400 of the profits from a fortnightly lottery he organised.

At the hearing, Huw Rees, prosecuting, said the lottery was aimed at boosting funds for the club and Williams breached the trust the club had put in him.

Williams had initially denied stealing up to £6,000 from the Pembrokeshire League side between October 3, 2011, and November 1, 2012, but after a forensic accountant examined the case, Williams, a businessman in the town, admitted stealing £400.

The prosecutor said Dyfed-Powys Police arrested Williams in April 2013 after an informal audit of the club's bank account found discrepancies in what should have been the profit percentage paid in from the club's lottery. He was charged with theft a year later. No paperwork was available regarding the lottery, but Williams later admitted taking £400.

Sentencing, Judge Peter Heywood said: "This was an unpleasant offence against a football club which no doubt could not afford to lose any funds at all and it was an offence involving breach of trust. However, I accept that you have served your community during your life."

Defence solicitor Stephen Thomas said the cash was taken from the football club in 'dribs and drabs.'

Mr. Thomas said: "He can't recall what he spent the money on exactly, it was such a long time ago. He took the odd £20 here and there with the intention of paying it back, but did not do so.

"It was not spent on luxury items. This has been hanging over him now for two-and-a-half years and he has been very fearful of incarceration. He has a heart condition and suffers from diabetes."

The solicitor said the defendant and his wife, who had been married for more than 50 years, 'looked after each other' as both had health problems.

Mr. Thomas continued: "He did not have any previous convictions whatsoever. His reputation after pleading guilty to theft in this case has now been left in tatters.

"He was the Mayor of Narberth no less than five times and was a very dependable individual who gave a lot to the community in which he lived and he was a Scout leader for 30 years.

"He was also a town councillor and school governor in the area, both positions from which he has now resigned."

Williams, of Coxhill, Narberth, was given a 12-month community supervision order, together with 160 hours of unpaid work and was also ordered to pay Narberth Football Club £400 compensation - which would be paid within 14 days - and £500 towards the £1,500 costs of the case.

Williams's daughter, Wendy Williams, who had been the club's treasurer, had denied a charge of stealing from Narberth Football Club. She was formally found not guilty and was discharged after the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to continue proceedings.