School staff member sacked after admitting theft

Wellington school staff member, in charge of the school's accounts, has admitted to stealing large sums of money from his employer.

David Don, executive officer of St Patrick's College, Wellington, was sacked after he admitted using a "significant" amount of school funds for unauthorised purposes.

He told the Dominion Post that he regretted his actions and promised to pay back the money as soon as he found another job.

A police investigation is under way on Mr Don, a chartered accountant who had been employed at the school for five years.

The school said discrepancies of tens of thousands of dollars were uncovered a couple of weeks ago, after routine Education Ministry audits of last year's accounts.

- NZPA