A MAN has been charged in relation to an alleged fraud involving Waverley Borough Council.

West Midlands Police this week confirmed 30-year-old Matthew Lowe, who is already serving time in prison for an unspecified offence, has been charged with two counts of fraud by false representation.

It comes after Waverley staff were duped into paying more than £200,000 taxpayer’s money into a fraudulent account intended for its repairs contractor Mears in spring 2014.

The matter was reported to police and with the help of its bank Waverley was able to recover “a significant proportion” of the lost funds.

However, the full extent of the fraud was not made public until October 2015 only after a council whistleblower spoke out - prompting accusations of a cover-up which Waverley denies.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police added the offence for which Mr Lowe is currently serving a custodial sentence happened prior to the Waverley incident.

Mr Lowe was due to appear before Sandwell Magistrates Court after The Herald went to press on Thursday, February 25.