Prosecutors have decided not to press ahead with a theft charge against an ex-parish clerk,

Diana Stroh had previously denied a single charge of stealing in excess of £1,000 from Sproughton parish council, where she used to work.

She was expected to stand trial this month but the prosecution told Recorder Gabrielle Posner at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday (Monday) they would not be offering any evidence in the case.

Stroh, 56, did not attend the hearing as a verdict of not guilty for the charge of theft against her was then formally recorded.

It was alleged Stroh, of The Street, Bramford, had stolen £1,179.45 from the parish council between September 19 and October 31, 2019, a charge she always denied.

Stroh was employed as Sproughton Parish Council clerk between April and August in 2019. She then worked on a temporary basis as the town clerk for Hadleigh council in 2020.