Former councillor admits fraud

A former Walsall councillor has pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming more than £13,500 in benefits.

Tony Rowley, 49, of Birmingham Street, Darlaston, made the false claims between 1994 and 2002, before he was elected as a councillor.

Rowley, who admitted nine charges of making dishonest benefit claims before Aldridge magistrates, quit as Labour member for Darlaston South last week.

He also asked for two other offences to be taken into consideration.

In a statement, chief executive of Walsall Council, Annie Shepperd, added: "Councillor Rowley has - in a letter of resignation - made a frank and sincere apology to the council.

"He has admitted making a mistake and is now doing what he thinks is right to put right this error."

The court heard that Rowley has already paid back more than £2,500 and that he intends to return all of the money.

Magistrates adjourned the case until Thursday for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.