A DISHONEST receptionist who stole thousands of pounds from a now defunct swimming pool has been told to expect a high-level community order.

Peter Jarvis, of Padworth Avenue, Reading, worked as a part-time receptionist at Central Pool for more than 20 years, but was caught taking money from the till.

Reading Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday how the 52-year-old had been stealing small sums of cash each day by opening the drawer manually to avoid raising suspicion.

Although it was difficult to determine how much was stolen, the court agreed on a figure of £9,500.

Maureen Ogbu, prosecuting, said: “This case came about following an audit investigation in May last year after allegations that money had been taken from the till at the reception desk.

“There was CCTV footage at the premises and the defendant could be seen opening the till.

“As a result of the till being opened manually, no record was made about what money was being taken out. The footage also captures the defendant accessing the till through the open cash drawer process.

“He had taken £20 per day in the early days and it got worse. Some days he would take bigger sums of cash. Reading Borough Council made predictions based on his admissions and we have agreed on a figure of £9,500.

“Clearly this is a substantial abuse of trust, which aggravates the offence.”

Jarvis was arrested and taken to Loddon Valley police station and made a full confession to stealing money over a period of two years, starting in August 2015, while employed by Reading Borough Council.

He admitted to one count of theft and was granted unconditional bail.

The council had to shut Central Pool earlier this year, blaming ‘severe budget constraints’ and an inability to invest on the ‘outdated’ facility.

Paul Wassell, chair of the bench, explained how Jarvis was facing a high-level community order, although he was prepared to rule out the possibility of custody.

The sentencing was delayed to allow for a series of reports to be compiled on the state of his mental health.