BOURNEMOUTH council won't pursue one of their former workers through the courts for reimbursement after he defrauded the taxpayer of £200,000.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Robert Young, who worked in IT, was spared a prison sentence after admitting fraud by abuse of position and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.

A judge at Bournemouth Crown Court heard in June that Young ordered Apple computers, mobile phones and other electrical items on the council's account before selling them on.

The 42-year-old, who lives in Heathfield Way, West Moors, had realised he could order electronic goods without being challenged. Over the course of around four years, he had the items delivered to either his home or "unlikely" locations on council premises.

He then sold the items to third-party companies and pocketed the proceeds.

Although a barrister acting for Young said the defendant's lucrative pension pot would pay back most of the money, Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings were scheduled to compensate the council.

The planned hearings will now not take place.

Speaking after the Echo first reported the charges in April, Bill Cotton, executive director for the environment and economy at the council, said: "The council has insurance arrangements in place to cover any proven losses from such circumstances.”

When asked again where the money would come from, a spokesperson from the council said: "The insurance will cover the losses."

The authority has provided no further information on the insurance company used, or whether Young's pension was indeed used to cover his fraud. Information on any premiums incurred through claiming back the money has also not been given.

Young was sentenced to a two-year suspended sentence with a three-month curfew and 150 hours of unpaid work.