A FORMER doctors' surgery practice manager could have to pay back more than £100,000 after admitting multiple counts of theft and fraud.

Jason Johns, aged 35, of Fairwood Road, West Cross, admitted the charges at Swansea Magistrates' Court on Tuesday at a hearing lasting only minutes.

But such is the extent of his crimes, his case has to be sent to Swansea Crown Court by magistrates for a greater sentence.

The court heard a brief outline of the charges, which all date between April 2004 and May last year, after Johns was appointed Practice Manager of Port Tennant Surgery.

He would award himself pay rises, overtime, and would forge doctors' signatures on cheques.

The prosecution advised they would be pursuing Johns for "a compensation claim well in excess of £100,000" for his crimes.

Johns has been released on unconditional bail until the sentencing hearing at Swansea Crown Court on March 1.

A spokesman for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, on behalf of the surgery, said the Health Board was looking forward to the Crown Court hearing and would comment fully once the case is concluded.

emma.judd@swwmedia.co.uk