A primary school assistant headteacher who defrauded a free school meals scheme to fund his gambling habit has been ordered to pay back almost £15,000.

Daniel Reynolds, 36, submitted false invoices fraudulently claiming the costs for food provided to disadvantaged pupils during Covid.

The deputy head at West Earlham Junior School in Norwich was in the grip of a serious gambling addiction at the time.

A court has now ordered that he must pay back £14,871 within the next three months as part of a proceeds of crime procedure brought by prosecutors.

Daniel Reynolds was deputy head at West Earlham Junior School until he was dismissed in October 2022Daniel Reynolds was deputy head at West Earlham Junior School until he was dismissed in October 2022 (Image: Google)

Recorder John Hardy, who approved the agreed application at Norwich Crown Court, warned him he would face eight months in prison if he failed to comply with the order. 

READ MORE: Deputy head scammed free school meals to fund gambling habit

Reynolds, of Avocet Rise, Norwich, was sacked from his position at the Norwich school in October 2022 when his scam came to light after Norfolk County Council launched an investigation.

He was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months in February after admitting three charges of fraud by false representation and making false documents.

Daniel Reynolds was sentenced to 10 months suspended for 18 monthsDaniel Reynolds was sentenced to 10 months suspended for 18 months (Image: Newsquest)

Judge Anthony Bate had told him his actions had been an “egregious breach of trust”.

“This was initially an honest and worthwhile activity that benefited the community but then you exploited it for your own dishonesty,” he added.

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The court had heard that he had been put in charge of providing holiday food and activities for children eligible for free school meals as part of a government-funded scheme.

Reynolds created false invoices for food in school holiday free school meals despite it having been donatedReynolds created false invoices for food in school holiday free school meals despite it having been donated (Image: PA)

But he used the position to steal thousands of pounds to fund his betting habit by creating fake invoices for food items that had actually been donated free of charge by local organisations.

When council officials began an audit after suspicions were raised he then submitted bogus receipts in an attempt to cover his tracks.