Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 1 December 1972.

Pub landlord stole savings club money.

COURT ORDERS REPAYMENT OF £400.

THE former landlord of the "White Hart" public house, Rusthall, who stole nearly £700 of Christmas Savings Club money and left suddenly was sentenced to six months' prison suspended for two years, at Tunbridge Wells Magistrates Court on Monday.

Frederick Warman, of no fixed address, was ordered to pay back £400 of the money. This was the maximum compensation that the court could award, but the chairman of the bench, Mr. Fred Elmer, said he hoped Warman would pay back the whole amount.

Mr. Brendan Kenny, prosecuting, said 37 members of the "White Hart" Savings Club paid weekly amounts of money to the secretary. Mr. Charles Foreman, who passed on the cash to Warman, the tenant of the pub.

He was supposed to pay the money into the bank, but instead kept it for himself — £678-98 1/2.

"Then he disappeared from the "White Hart" suddenly, leaving confusion with regard to the tenancy." Mr. Kenny added.

Warman said he was now working on a motorway works as a labourer, earning £30 a week. He was married with three children, but separated, and living in a caravan in Surrey.

OWED RATES.

"I was hoping to pay the money back by Christmas," Warman told the court. "I had applied for a loan to cover it."

As well as the theft charge, Warman also admitted owing £106-71 rates to the council, and being £646 in debt on maintenance payments due to his family.

Asked about his assets, Warman said he owned a 1966 Ford Cortina estate car, and a freezer and other property that was still at the "White Hart." Also, he had paid £3,000 as in-going money when he took over the pub, and this was due back to him, less £900 he owed a brewery.

The magistrates said as it would take some time to sort out his financial matters. Warman would be given three months to pay the £400 compensation and the outstanding rates.

The maintenance arrears were adjourned for three months, but he was ordered to start paying £18 a week.