A STOURBRIDGE accountant employed by Worcestershire County Council tried to commit suicide after owning up to stealing more than £10,000 from a joint council fund, a court heard.

Gordon Smith, of Windsor Road, Norton, was beset by debts from his mortgage, credit cards, a leased car and education costs for his children, Worcester Crown Court was told.

But he had made an early guilty plea to five charges of theft, Judge Michael Cullum said, so he was able to suspend a 12-month jail sentence for two years but order Smith to do 200 hours unpaid work.

Smith, aged 54, had been treasurer of the Midland Counties chief internal auditors co-operative, to which 14 Midland county councils contributed.

The group met regularly at the Chateau Impney Hotel, Droitwich, and the offices of chairman, secretary and treasurer rotated on a regular basis.

Smith became treasurer in 2008 and moved on to secretary a year later.

But it was discovered he had drawn large sums from the fund and paid them into his own accounts.

After an investigation in 2011 and it was found that cheques had bounced, he attempted to take his own life - William Rickarby, prosecuting, said.

When interviewed, he admitted he had large debts. He had been employed as an accountant in Birmingham but his income dropped when he moved to work for the county council. He had begun to "lose the plot”.

Richard Hull, mitigating, said when Smith turned 50 he found his career was not following the route he had expected.

He went to new employment to reinvent his career but that was unrealistic.

He did not wish to reveal to his family the extent of his financial crisis.

But his offending had not been subtle.

Judge Cullum said Smith was aware he was dealing with public money. He had made withdrawals which were bound to be discovered but he claimed he had intended to repay the money.

When matters were discovered he decided to end his life.

He was aware Smith was receiving income from an annuity but there would be an investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act to reclaim the stolen money.