Leeder cleared of ITT theft

FORMER Institute of Travel and Tourism executive director Brian Leeder has been cleared of stealing £4,536 from the ITT at a hearing at St Albans magistrates court today.

Leeder, from Leighton Buzzard, was found not guilty of charges of theft and false accounting relating to the missing money from May 2001.

Magistrates chairman Peter Stanley said: "Although there is plenty of evidence against the defendant, the Crown has not proved his guilt beyond all reasonable doubt.”

Leeder admitted writing out cheques for the missing money to cash but denied withdrawing the money from the bank.