BOURNEMOUTH council's former IT manager has been warned he faces a prison sentence for a "very serious" fraud.

Robert Young, of Heathfield Way in West Moors, ordered electrical items on the council's account before selling them on.

The total cost of the fraud is disputed, but prosecutors allege Young made some £290,000 for himself. The defendant claims the figure is £200,000.

Young admitted charges of fraud by abuse of position and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property at Bournemouth Crown Court.

The 42-year-old was in a senior role at the town hall when the offences took place between August 27 2012 and December 31 2016.

Prosecutor Simon Jones said Young has pleaded guilty on a basis.

"He admits defrauding the council by ordering and selling on electrical equipment to the value of £200,000," Mr Jones said, adding that the investigating officer from Dorset Police feels the accepted figure is "too low".

Judge Stephen Climie said prosecutors must decide if they will seek a Newton hearing, held in order to resolve issues between the prosecution and the defence.

"The gravity of this case is the nature of the act itself," he said.

"That's what I will be looking at in terms of culpability."

A pre-sentence report was ordered and the defendant was given unconditional bail.

Judge Climie told Young his bail was "no indication as to sentence".

"I have to make it clear it is not an indication to the eventual outcome," he said.

"You have pleaded guilty to very serious matters which, on the sentencing guidelines, undoubtedly warrant an immediate custodial sentence."

When Young appeared for a preliminary hearing, magistrates sitting in Poole heard another man at the council had also fallen under police scrutiny during the investigation. The second man was released without further action, it was heard.

Bill Cotton, executive director for the environment and economy at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “Robert Young is no longer an employee.

"The council has insurance arrangements in place to cover any proven losses from such circumstances.”