A MAN who cheated a school out of a huge sum of money has finally faced justice after being jailed for six years.

Michael Rowley admitted to stealing £536,000 from The Abbey School and providing false information in order to obtain employment at the school.

He was sentenced to six years in prison at Oxford Crown Court for fraud by abuse of position and making false instrument.

As the former finance clerk, he was in a position of trust and the case came to light after irregularities were spotted internally.

The second charge relates to paperwork filled out by Rowley, 53, who did not disclose he had previous convictions to the school.

A spokesman for The Abbey School said: “Our head of Finance and Resources identified irregularities in the finance department last year.

"Police were immediately informed. Clearly it is shocking to find that we have been the victims of such a serious breach of trust.

"We are grateful to the police and Crown Prosecution Service and our focus now will be on ensuring that any losses to the School are made good and the misappropriated funds are recovered.”

The incident was handed over to Thames Valley Police and Rowley was eventually sentenced on October 25.