A council employee in Newport was dismissed after using a taxpayer-funded credit card for nearly £9,400 in unauthorised expenses. Daniel Baldwin, 33, who worked as an accommodation officer for the homeless with Newport City Council, was issued the card to cover local authority-related costs.

An internal audit uncovered that Baldwin had accumulated charges primarily for parking fines and other expenses unrelated to council business over a period of less than two months. Following the investigation, Baldwin admitted to fraud at Newport Magistrates’ Court.

He was subsequently sentenced to a 12-month community order and has reimbursed the full amount misused. The council took disciplinary action by terminating his employment.