COLLEAGUES of a flamboyant former Gillingham councillor today spoke of their shock as he began a prison sentence for the theft and forgery of more than £50,000. Christopher Williams, a Gillingham Tory councillor from 1988 to 1992, was jailed for eight months yesterday at Cardiff Crown Court.

Williams, 58, of Mayfield Close, Rainham, had admitted 15 charges of theft and five of using a false instrument by forging a signature on cheques.

Cllr Graham Payne, who was Gillingham Conservative mayor in 1988/89, said: "It is a real shock. When I was mayor he was helpful and supportive. In the debating chamber he was very eloquent and could demolish the opposition." Labour councillor Paul Harriott said: "He didn't seem like a guy who could commit a criminal offence. A week ago he rang me asking for a character reference. I would do that for anyone. I just wrote that he had been a councillor and did a lot of work for charity."

Labour councillor Adam Price said: "It is a shock. He was a flamboyant character. His practical joke was wearing a spinning bow tie in the debating chamber."

The court heard that the cheques had been forged between 1997 and 1999 against Studio One Ltd, equipment providers for small television companies in Cardiff. Ieuan Bennett, prosecuting, said the total amount Williams had taken from the company, of which he was one of three directors, was £54,553.55.

Mr Bennett said Williams diverted money from it to invest in his three other businesses in the South East and used some to sponsor Gravesend and Gillingham football clubs.

The court heard that Williams forged the signature of fellow company director David Aaron, who committed suicide in June 1999.

Afterwards the other director, James Brennan, investigated the accounts and Williams was arrested in February 2000.

Lee Harris, in mitigation, said that Williams had already repaid the company £120,000 in repayment and compensation.

He added that his client may have been foolish and motivated by vanity but this was exceptional and he was unlikely to reoffend.