A FIREFIGHTER who admitted stealing more than £4,000 from a Lewisham scout group "no longer works for the brigade" following internal investigations.

William Burtt, of Baring Road, Lee, was the group leader for the 16th Lewisham South Scout Group when he swiped £4,390 between August 4 2011 and January 9 this year.

The former firefighter at Bethnal Green was suspended from his duties while internal investigations were carried out after he admitted writing cheques to himself from the scout bank account.

A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman confirmed that Burtt, who has paid back the stolen money, "no longer worked for the service".

It comes after the 27-year-old admitted the thefts and was given a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £145 costs at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on May 22.

Speaking after the sentencing, a Scout Association spokesman said: "We are extremely disappointed that Burtt had betrayed the trust placed in him by the Scout Movement.

"Burtt will never be allowed to work with the organisation again."