A FORMER mayor convicted of taking a council's ice cream takings has dismissed criticism after being elected to serve as chairman of its finance committee.

The ruling Independent group on Ripon City Council elected Andrew Williams to the 12-month role, saying he had served his debt to society and his experience made him the best candidate.

After members of the council voted 8-5 in favour of appointing Cllr Williams - who became the youngest mayor in the city's history in 2007 - several members of the public walked out of the meeting.

Some former council members, including ex-North Yorkshire County Council chairman Bernard Bateman, branded it "an absolute disgrace".

Cllr Williams was convicted of pocketing £220 from an ice cream seller, the council's percentage of his takings at a gala event celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in June 2012.

His trial at York Crown Court last year heard Cllr Williams, who had a gambling problem, was still wearing his official chain as Mayor of Ripon when he was handed the cash but failed to pay it into the council's coffers.

Cllr Williams, who insists he should not have been found guilty of the fraud, was given a community order with 12 months supervision and 200 hours unpaid work.

He said his community service sentence meant he was allowed to serve as a councillor and being appointed committee chairman gave him no extra power, other than a casting vote.

He pointed towards winning 1,491 votes at last month's election and said his years of leading the committee made him the most suitable candidate.

The Independent councillor added the council's healthy financial position partly resulted from his negotiations with Harrogate Borough Council over the city's leisure centre while he was well placed to tackle a raft of issues facing Ripon.

"I accept there will be people who will not be happy - there are some people who are not happy that I breathe.

"This role is not about handling the council's cash and I have made it abundantly clear that I will not act as one of the council's cheque signatories.

"I will go to my grave protesting my innocence, but now it is time to look ahead not back."

Mayor of Ripon, Pauline McHardy said it was time for controversy surrounding the councillor to end.

She said: "Councillor Williams will have to prove himself on how well he does for the city."

In November, the authority approved a resolution to enable it to suspend any member charged with a criminal offence.

Conservative councillor Stuart Martin said: "We felt Andrew's nomination as chairman wouldn't go down well with anybody and wouldn't be in the best interests of Ripon."