The former manager of a Suffolk pub has appeared in court charged with stealing £30,000 from the hostelry.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sulayman Sonko is facing a jail sentence after pleading guilty to stealing more than �21,000 from the Turks Head between March 1, 2016 and August 31, 2016. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARYSulayman Sonko is facing a jail sentence after pleading guilty to stealing more than �21,000 from the Turks Head between March 1, 2016 and August 31, 2016. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY (Image: Archant)

Sulayman Sonko, of Lachlan Green, Woodbridge, did not enter a plea to the accusation of theft by employee from The Turks Head at Hasketon when he appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court in Ipswich.

The 41-year-old is alleged to have stolen £29,897.58 between March 1, 2016, and August 31, 2016.

During the hearing prosecutor Ian Devine said the matter was not suitable for trial at the magistrates’ court due to the large amount of money and the fact Sonko was the front of house manager.

Mr Devine said the Crown Prosecution Service believed it was a matter which should go to the crown court.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent Sonko’s case to Ipswich Crown Court where the next hearing will be on July 3. At the end of the 10-minute hearing Sonko was released on conditional bail.