A VOLUNTEER at a hospital radio station and his wife have been told by magistrates they could face prison after pleading guilty to theft and fraud totalling £7,104.75.

Abergavenny Magistrates' Court heard last Thursday that Andrew King, 28 of Elm Street, Cwm, stole money to the value of £6,000 from Nevill Hall Sound between March 2009 and September 2009.

King is also jointly charged with fraud alongside his wife Ann, 23, for signing a cheque in April 2009 for £1,104.75 to pay for a holiday to Warren Farm Holiday Centre, Brean. 

The court heard how King volunteered at Nevill Hall Sound, a registered charity, between July 2007 and September 2009 when he resigned. He was a co-signatory of two bank accounts along with his wife and chairman of the radio station David Williams.

Prosecutor John Williams told the court, "They previously pleaded not guilty but I feel they have now realised the strength of the evidence against them."

Mr Williams added, "£3,000 cash was withdrawn without the authority of the chairman. On April 4, again a cheque was used to pay caravan site fees in Brean, the cheque was signed by both.

"On September 8, 2009 £1,500 in cash was taken from each of the two bank accounts. King maintained he had the authority of Mr Williams who has denied this."

With regards to King's wife, Mr Williams said, "It is fair to say she accepted what her husband told her and she had nothing to do with it, with exception of the caravan fees. She must have realised that cheque was not for Nevill Hall Sound."

Mr Williams told the court that credit should be given for their guilty pleas.

The court heard that King and his wife had previously paid back £3,000 to Nevill Hall Sound and another £3,000 was paid in court leaving £1,104.75 outstanding. 

King and his wife were released on unconditional bail and will appear at Newport Magistrates' Court next month.

Defence counsel Cerys Beresford-Evans said, "This is a complex matter that can be succinctly narrowed down. They had offered guilty pleas - but late guilty pleas. The purpose of a pre-sentence report is to see at what level they should be dealt at. The entry level point is custody. I do not believe at this stage we should opt out of pre-sentence reports."

Chairman of the bench, Graham Fulsome warned King he could be facing a custodial sentence but added that it would be up to the next court to decide.