Developer's 'council bribe cash'

Chief executive Mark James told his assistant to call the police

A property developer tried to bribe Carmarthenshire Council's chief executive with £5,000 in a bid to get planning approval, a jury has heard.

Kevin Green, 43, of Burry Port, later called it a gift for a swimming pool, Carmarthen Crown Court heard.

It is claimed he left an envelope full of £20 notes for Mark James days before they were due to meet to discuss a potential development in the county.

Mr Green denies a charge of corruption. The trial continues.

Geraint Walters QC, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Green wrote to Mr James requesting a meeting to discuss "ideas for affordable housing" at land near a former cattle breeding centre at Travellers Rest.

On 2 September last year, five days before the meeting was due, he arrived at county hall and asked to see someone in the chief executive's office.

Mr Walters said Mr Green was shown into Mr James' office, where he talked with the chief executive's personal assistant Liz Thomas about arrangements for the meeting.

Other than the money there was absolutely nothing else inside Geraint Walters QC, prosecuting

"Just as the defendant came to leave he handed Mrs Thomas a padded envelope which was addressed to Mark James," he said.

"He said it was important Mark James received the envelope before the meeting - he said the envelope contained papers for Mr James' eyes only."

When Mrs Thomas opened the envelope later in the day she found to her "astonishment" that it contained £5,000 in £20 notes.

"Other than the money there was absolutely nothing else inside," added Mr Walters.

Mrs Thomas showed Mr James the envelope when he returned to the office and he immediately asked her to call the police.

Cashed cheque

Mr Green was arrested later that day.

It was later discovered he had cashed a cheque that morning for £4,000.

He told police in interview that the money was "a gift - a donation to the community" because he had heard there were plans to redevelop Carmarthen Leisure Centre which he and his children used.

He told police he intended to phone Mr James to let him know what the money was for, but never got around to it.

"What he had not bargained for when he delivered the envelope was that it would be opened by the personal assistant to the chief executive and not the chief executive," added Mr Walters.

"He hoped that temptation would have got the better of the chief executive."