A PENSIONER appeared at Belfast Crown Court today where he admitted committing fraud against both a church and an entertainment organisation.
Denis William Mackie was charged with three counts of fraud by abuse of position, and a single count of fraud by false representation.
Mackie, from Thornhill Grove in Belfast, admitted that whilst occupying a position in which he was expected to safeguard the financial interests of St Dorothea's Parish Church, he wrote unauthorised cheques which were drawn upon the bank accounts of the east Belfast church between November 9, 2009 and October 22, 2015.
He also admitted making unauthorised cash withdrawals from the bank accounts of St Dorothea's Church on the same dates, whilst he pleaded guilty to making a false representation between January 27, 2015 and February 3, 2015 - namely he presented that a cheque from the church's bank account for £18,000 was 'good and valid and authorised by the signatories' to make a gain for himself or to cause a risk of loss to the church.
In addition, Mackie (68) pleaded guilty to abusing his position of safeguarding the financial interests of Belfast Music Festival to write unauthorised cheques over a period from October 16, 2014 to April 10, 2016.
After Mackie admitted the four offences, his barrister asked that a number of reports be compiled ahead of sentencing.
Judge Philip Gilpin told Mackie to return to court on Friday where he will fix a date for sentencing. He was released on continuing bail.