THE former secretary to the Lord Mayor of Canterbury has admitted stealing £1,550 from the city council by claiming expenses for private taxi journeys.

John Webb 56, who was dismissed from his £22,000-a-year job after the losses were discovered, pleaded guilty to theft at Canterbury magistrates' court.

Carol Chastney, prosecuting, said the offences occurred over a two-year period from 2000 to 2002. She said it involved a breach of trust by Webb who worked as an administrator in the Lord Mayor's office.

Officials discovered that he had used upmarket car hire firm, Aristocars, for journeys to airports for his personal holidays. He then altered the receipts to fraudulently claim back the cost from the city council as civic expenses.

The magistrates were told that Webb, of Coniston Avenue, Ramsgate, had worked in the civic office for 12 years and was of previous good character.

Kerry Waitt, for Webb, said there was a "great deal" of mitigation for his client who had received numerous letters of support and testimonials. He said his client had also offered to repay the £1,550.93 stolen in full.

He added: "He is now unemployed with a criminal record and has paid a high price for his actions with, above all, the loss of his good name."

Mr Waitt suggested that sentencing could be left in the hands of magistrates but the court committed Webb to the Crown Court. His unconditional bail was continued.