A former financial administrator of a Garston school has been ordered to pay £16,500 in compensation after pleading guilty to fraud.

Brendan Silke faced a count of dishonestly making false representation to make gain for self or another and a further count of procuring extraction of valuable security by deception.

He pleaded guilty to both counts when he appeared before St Albans Crown Court last Friday.

Silke, a former bursar at Parmiter's School, was given an 18 month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to pay £16,500 in compensation to the High Elms Lane school within 28 days.

Nick Daymond, headteacher at Parmiter's School, said he contacted the police more than a year ago as he was worried about financial abnormalities at the secondary school.

Mr Daymond said: "18 months ago I had concerns about financial irregularities and called in the police.

"As a result of their investigation into a former member of staff, we have thoroughly reviewed our financial procedures, with the support of relevant external authorities."