Bolton magistrate sentenced over £22,000 fraud charges

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-21503740

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A Bolton magistrate has received a suspended prison sentence after admitting making fraudulent expenses claims of more than £22,000.

Carlton Janson, of Bradford Park Drive, Bolton, admitted two counts of obtaining property by deception and two of fraud by false representation.

The 69-year-old was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years at Burnley Crown Court.

Prosecutors said he "undermined the very laws he was employed to uphold".

He made expenses claims while off sick, on leave and after retiring between April 2006 and April 2011, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

District Crown Prosecutor Kate McAlinden said: "The role of a justice of peace is a position held in high esteem requiring the utmost honesty and integrity.

"Carlton Janson's fraudulent expense claims were a substantial and prolonged breach of the trust of the public.

"He obtained the money which he was not entitled to from public funds and undermined the very laws he was employed to uphold."