A former mayor of Narberth and ex-Scout leader is ‘ashamed, embarrassed and very remorseful’ after admitting stealing from the town’s football club, Swansea Crown Court has been told.

Colin Williams, aged 73, was the club secretary and failed to pay in £400 of the profits from its fortnightly lottery which he organised.

He will now have to do 160 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community supervision order made by the court on Wednesday.

Williams was five times mayor of Narberth,but has now resigned from the town council.

He had initially denied stealing up to £6,000 from Narberth FC - where he was secretary - between October 3, 2011 and November 1, 2012.

But after a forensic accountant examined the case, he then admitted the theft of £400.

Judge Peter Heywood told Williams: “This was an unpleasant offence against a football club which, no doubt, could not afford to lose any funds at all and it was an offence involving breach of trust. However, I accept that you have served your community during your life.”

Stephen Thomas, defending, said the cash was taken from the football club in “dribs and drabs”.

Mr Thomas said: “He can’t recall what he spent the money on exactly, it was such a long time ago. He took the odd £20 here and there with the intention of paying it back but did not do so.

“It was not spent on luxury items. This has been hanging over him now for two and a half years and he has been very fearful of incarceration. He has a heart condition and suffers from diabetes.”

Mr Thomas added: “He did not have any previous convictions whatsoever. His reputation after pleading guilty to theft in this case has now been left in tatters."

He described Williams as “a very dependable individual who gave a lot to the community in which he lived and he was a Scout leader for 30 years.”

In addition to the community supervision order, Williams was also ordered to pay £400 compensation to Narberth FC and £500 towards the £1,500 costs of the case.

Williams’ daughter Wendy Williams, who had been the club’s treasurer, had denied a charge of stealing from Narberth FC. She was formally found not guilty and was discharged after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to continue proceedings against her earlier this year.