A 27-YEAR-OLD man has been committed to Preston Crown Court on a charge of stealing £311,627 from his employer, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Paul Brian Haythornthwaite, of Timbrills Avenue, Sabden, is also charged with attempted theft of electrical goods worth £44,586 and obtaining services worth £1,200 from Fraser Eagle, services worth £1,900 from Bury Van Hire and a second deception from Fraser Eagle involving £390.

Haythornthwaite was committed on bail to the crown court.