A village sub-postmaster stole more than £15,000 to prop up his struggling business after trade was hit by a road closure, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Anthony Towler, 43, who ran Harden Post Office and shop, was spared an immediate prison sentence for theft and fraud from his employers.

He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a 12 month community order that included 200 hours of unpaid work.

The judge, Recorder Richard Woolfall, said Towler initially intended to borrow the Post Office cash to “trade out of difficulties” and keep his business afloat. But the money mounted up to £15,411 and he was caught when Post Office staff turned up in August last year to carry out an audit.

Towler, of Lane Ends, Bingley, pleaded guilty to theft and false accounting, between September 1, 2010, and August 29 last year.

He altered the books to cover his tracks, prosecutor Martin Smith told the court.

Towler was immediately frank with Post Office investigators, telling them he was “massively in debt” and struggling to pay his mortgage and other bills.

Mr Smith said a hearing would be held under the Proceeds of Crime Act to try to claw back the stolen money, the bulk of which was still outstanding.

Towler was suspended from his post when the investigation began and he no longer ran the Post Office.

His solicitor advocate, Julian White, handed character references to the judge.

He said Towler had always been a hard working and honest man who made a positive contribution to the life of Harden.

He had been under financial pressure, suffering from depression, and his mother had been very ill.

Recorder Woolfall said Towler had provided a service to the community, with his shop and Post Office.

“You were trying to keep your business afloat but it was criminally wrong to take that money and the sum mounted up,” he said.

Recorder Woolfall said the outcome of the case might have been different if there was any evidence that Towler spent the money on high living.