A FORMER mayor of Saltash accused of fraud did not use money dishonestly but rather in lieu of a pension contribution, a court heard today.
David Carter, 47, of Heskyn View, Saltash, is accused of five counts of fraud relating to his time working for an educational charity, The Learning Net.
It is alleged he employed his wife as a part time administrative assistant but the prosecution say she did not work the one-and-a-half days a week claimed.
It is also alleged he dishonestly used charity accounts to pay for golf memberships at St Mellion International Resort and for laser eye surgery.
But Carter, who was mayor of Saltash from 2005 to 2006, has argued the money was used as part of a pension contribution he was entitled to.
Joanna Martin, for the defence, put it to witnesses from The Learning Net that under the terms of his contract Carter was entitled to 5% of his salary, later rising to 10%, for a pension of his choosing.
Christopher Harris, one of the charity's founders and a trustee, said he did not recall any agreement for a golf membership to be paid instead of a pension.
But Ms Martin said company accounts, which would include the payments to the golf club, were signed off on by trustees.
Christopher Nicholls, another trustee, said he was not aware the company was paying golf club memberships until 2011 – around the time Carter and the charity parted ways.
He added although the accounts were presented to trustees after auditing from chartered accountants he would not have time to examine them in depth as he was a volunteer.
The trial continues.