'Greedy' principal jailed for fraud

An "arrogant, selfish, and greedy" school principal was yesterday jailed for fraudulently claiming thousands of dollars for a bogus relief teacher.

Barry Bloomfield, 56, a former principal at Huntly West School had earlier pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud and dishonesty.

He admitted obtaining $17,000 for a relief teacher who did not exist and selling his school's pool fence on Trade Me for $4600.

At sentencing in Hamilton District Court yesterday, the Crown described the offending as calculating and deliberate.

The defence said Bloomfield was under extreme stress and this lowered the moral code he operated on.

Describing Bloomfield as "arrogant, selfish and greedy", Judge Robert Spear jailed him for a year.

He was granted leave to apply for home detention.

- NZPA