The former director of the Dean Heritage Centre at Soudley, nr Cinderford, was convicted today of two offences of fraud against the charity-run museum.

Nicholas Wood, 39, of Brains Green, Awre, near Blakeney, claimed he had paid two bills totalling almost £1,500 out of his own pocket on the centre's behalf and he made claims for re-imbursement, which were met.

But a jury at Gloucester Crown Court decided on Wednesday (January 12) that his claims were false and that he had never paid out the money to outside suppliers as he claimed.

The jurors at the courthouse in Cirencester found him guilty of fraud by claiming to have paid a bill of £750 for an open air cinema event at the Centre and £744 for a consignment of sand to fill proposed children's' sandpits on the grounds.

The offences were committed between June 1 and August 1, 2019, shortly after he had started work as centre director.

Following the guilty verdicts this afternoon the judge, Recorder Malcolm Gibney, adjourned sentence until either Feb 9, 10 or 11 at Winchester Crown Court, where he will be sitting that week.