A FORMER sports centre boss is accused of trying to defraud Chippenham town council out of £1,000.

Former manager at the Stanley Park sports ground Peter Hussey, 45, of Wallis Road, Bournemouth, had been due before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon to answer a charge of fraud by abuse of position.

Prosecutors claim he committed fraud in June 2019 while head of leisure services for Chippenham town council, allegedly abusing his position to try and gain £1,000 for himself.

Magistrates were told that Hussey arrived at court at around 9.30am on Tuesday, four hours before his case was listed to be heard.

He later left the court building and, according to security staff at the Princes Street courthouse, had not returned in time for the afternoon sitting.

JPs refused an application by prosecutor Emma Charleton for an arrest warrant. Chairman of the bench Jane Flew said: “We feel there is enough concern there might have been conflicting information and importantly he did turn up. We are not quite sure who told him what and when. We are not quite sure if he had any urgent business in Poole he had to get back for. He did make the effort, he did get here.”

The case was adjourned to December 8 at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.