A Maidstone sports teacher is to stand trial accused of stealing kit and photocopying paper worth around £25,000 from his school.

Steve Restarick, 43, of Sutton Road, Maidstone, is charged with abusing his position as head of PE at Maidstone Grammar School.

But a judge has expressed his concern at the way Restarick’s court case has been handled after a dramatic last-minute change saw the allegation against him suddenly altered.

He had been facing fraud and theft charges amounting to £1,000 for sports equipment and £33.75 for photocopying paper.

But when he arrived for his trial at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court on Tuesday, the judge was told by prosecutors the amount he is alleged to have taken had been estimated at £25,000.

Restarick, who denies the charges said to have taken place between January 2009 and February 2014, asked District Judge Justin Barron if he could elect for trial at the crown court instead, in view of the change.

"I am very concerned the case has got to this stage. Really the issue of the loss should have been calculated more precisely..." - Judge Barron

The charges relate to his time running the Premier Football Club – a summer holiday coaching session – with the grammar school, while also head of PE.

In 2009 the Barton Road school decided to no longer support the project.

In February 2014 a large number of photocopies were found to have been made from an account he used and kit was found in the changing rooms.

Three days of court time had been allocated for the trial, led by Judge Barron, and five witnesses had been called.

He said: “I am very reluctant to change, as we have set the court aside for three days, and all the witnesses are here. The cost to the court is substantial.

“But there is a key difference here. There has been a recalculation of the level of abuse and degree of harm.

“On balance, despite all the negatives, I am going to allow you to re-elect.”

But he added: “I am very concerned the case has got to this stage. Really the issue of the loss should have been calculated more precisely and shouldn’t have been left until this morning.

“You needed to know what the allegation was against you.”

Popular teacher Restarick, was also player-coach at Maidstone United after appearing for a series of clubs, including a successful spell at Chelmsford City.

He is due to answer the charges at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, April 10. He remains on unconditional bail.

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