A former Canterbury Festival treasurer defrauded the charity out of £80,000 to clear debts racked up while struggling as a pub landlord, a court heard.

Mark Burford, 35, used forged signatures and fake invoices to siphon the cash into his own bank account during his three-year spell as the trust's financial director.

Described as "a man of few words", he carried out his fraud in plain sight of colleagues who considered him "one of the gang".

He claimed he needed the money to pay off a £60,000 debt run up while boss of the Maiden's Head in Wincheap.

But his actions left trust staff having to work tirelessly to ensure the festival - which entertains some 60,000 revellers annually - could still go ahead this October.

Charity director Rosie Turner said she feared for her job shortly after discovering the money was missing.

Burford had falsified invoices, changed bank details, invented deposits and even forged her signature to move money to his account.

“Mr Burford’s ability to deceive in plain sight was just incredible," she said.

“I want to make it very clear this was not a victimless crime.

“He was a quiet worker; a man of few words. He was supported with mentoring and team members had been to his flat for supper.

“He had baked us cakes - he was one of the gang."

Prosecutor William McBarnet said Burford, who was living in Homersham, Wincheap, quit the £29,000-a-year role when the new accounts boss noticed dubious transactions last year.

Alison Mannering’s probe would soon reveal the fraudster made 54 suspicious transactions, with 45 later accounted as fraudulent.

Canterbury Crown Court heard the money was transferred with plausible references, such as deposits and expense claims.

An investigation revealed he was trying to clear huge debts run up during his time as a failed landlord.

Phil Rowley, defending, said: "The pub was badly failing. He tried to make a success of it and became burdened with it.

“He kept, as people do, reaching for the next month.”

Mr Rowley added Burford was racked with shame and the fraud was “lacking in sophistication”, given he used his own bank account.

But his crimes, carried out between August 2015 and April 2018, required “continued planning over a long period of time”, Judge James O’Mahoney said.

“You were thought of as being part of the team, as I have heard, one of the gang," he added.

“This was demoralising and upsetting to colleagues.

“After close consideration to the guidelines I have decided the sentence is far too serious to suspend.”

Burford, who has recently been living in Whitchurch, Shropshire, had earlier admitted abusing his position to commit frauds totalling £79,978.

He closed his eyes as the judge handed him a 21-month prison sentence.

When our reporter asked Ms Turner if it was a fair sentence, she replied: “Yes, I think so.”

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