A former temporary clerk at Hadleigh town council has chosen to defend theft charges at Crown Court.

Diana Stroh, of The Street, Bramford, pleaded not guilty to stealing more than £1,000 from Sproughton parish council in 2019, before she took up a clerk's role at Hadleigh.

Stroh, aged 55, appeared at Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with theft of £1,179.45 between September 19, 2019, and October 31, 2019.

Magistrates heard Stroh was employed as Sproughton Parish Council clerk between April and August in 2019 and she alleged offence related to two payments, totalling £1,179.45, which the parish council requested were paid back.

Although the court accepted the case was suitable for summary trial Stroh chose for matters to be heard at the crown court. She will now appear at Ipswich Crown Court on August 13 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.