A former PCSO has been sentenced for two counts of fraud after being found to have submitted incorrect timesheets and expenses claims.

Leigh Yeomans, 35, of The Laurels, Fazeley, received a 12-month suspended sentence for each count at Stafford Crown Court today (August 16). He will also undertake 250 hours of unpaid work in the next year and repay £8216.44 compensation in full to Staffordshire Police, as well as £340 legal costs.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges at Derby Magistrates’ Court on July 10.

Staffordshire Police Chief Constable, Gareth Morgan, said: “The public has the right to expect the highest levels of honesty and integrity from the officers and staff in Staffordshire Police. I have the same expectations as Chief Constable.

“Leigh Yeomans failed to meet those expectations and today he has been convicted of dishonesty. He will be repaying the public money he stole.

“This matter came to notice when colleagues became suspicious and reported it and I am grateful to them.

“They did the right thing and they are a reminder that the vast majority of staff are honest, hard-working professionals.”

The court heard that Yeomans had not worked on 33 full days and had falsely submitted 24 expense claims. He was suspended in March 2016. As a PCSO he was entitled to resign from his position and chose to do so in June 2016.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.