A “fantasist” lecturer brought a charity to its knees after defrauding it of more than £16,000 - and ploughing money into his failing second home.

William Howe made 60 payments to his personal account during his role as treasurer of Canterbury Street Pastors, the court heard.

When colleagues became suspicious he “arrogantly lied”, claiming the funds were tied up in his second home in Bridge and an offshore account.

A County Court judgment ruled the former Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) lecturer owed £16,000 in 2017 but he failed to stump up the cash.

The fraud was then reported to police in 2018 and Howe paid back £8,000 after borrowing money from a relative.

He would go on to deny the crime at magistrates and Canterbury Crown Court but later pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation in a pre-trial hearing.

Judge Rupert Lowe told the 54-year-old yesterday: “It seems to me you have created a fantasy world in your head that you continue to hide behind.

“I don’t know why. Maybe you haven’t told your wife (about the crime) or something.”

The court heard Howe’s finances were “in a poor state” as the former-media lecturer invested in a second home in Bridge, near Canterbury.

He drew down a total of 60 illegal payments as the sole dignitary from August 2013 and May 2018, the court heard.

“Before this offence you were unknown to the criminal courts, it is a personal tragedy for you and for others," said Judge Lowe.

“The responsibility is fairly and squarely yours.

“From the outset you were involved in one more churches and a very admirable charity, the purpose of which was looking after people if they were in a bad way.

“You became the treasurer of that charity - you were given a high degree of trust.”

Mitigating, Phil Rowley said his client can pay back all money owed by the end of this year.

Judge Lowe jailed Howe, of Pound Lane, for 18 months suspended for 18 months and ordered him before the same court on December 13 for review.

Howe, formerly senior lecturer in the media, art and design department, was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity days.

'It seems to me you have created a fantasy world in your head that you continue to hide behind' - Judge Rupert Lowe

“You will bring with you documentary evidence that you’ve paid the county court judgment off.

“If you haven’t done that you will be going to prison,” the judge said.

The Street Pastors are a team of trained volunteers who patrol the city's streets on Friday and Saturday nights offering help to those in need.

The charity depends on donations in order to continue running.

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