United Reformed Church priest stole £23,000

A priest who fraudulently claimed £23,000 in allowances has avoided jail after a court heard he was "ashamed" he couldn't provide for his wife.

Naison Hove, 59, made 13 false claims from the United Reform Church over 12 years, despite his household income significantly exceeding the church's threshold.

He also made several other fraudulent claims for costs concerning his children's school uniforms.

Hove, born in Zimbabwe, was ordained in 2001 and ministered to several congregations in London and Sussex until his suspension in 2022.

He was formally removed from his role in August following the church's discovery of £23,044 in "financial irregularities".

Hove admitted two counts of fraud by abuse of position at Wood Green Crown Court and was handed a two-year suspended sentence.

Prosecutor Rebecca Dix said Hove's offending "deliberately" targeted a "weakness in the processes of the church".

Michael Williams, defending, told the court: "He's ashamed of being a man and not providing enough support his wife, they had separate incomes – he felt that he wasn't living up to his societal expectations in that position given his income.

Highlighting his client's "genuine" remorse and lack of convictions, he said: "Throughout his time in the ministry in this country he has been an effective church leader and has diligently served – other than this fraud – the communities he has been asked to represent."

The judge, Jenni Dempster KC, "accepted entirely" that Hove was man of "previous good character".

She added: "It is clear from everything I've read you have worked very hard, often in challenging situations, to get where you got to in life, doing good work internationally in Zimbabwe and here in the UK.

"I am in no doubt at all Mr Hove you were very good at the job you did and that you helped many people."

Hove was ordered to pay back the full outstanding amount of £21,544 at a rate of £250 per month, and to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.