The former director of school sports for Richmond Council has been banned from teaching after claiming iPods, a slap-up birthday meal and perfume on his expenses.

Gary Palmer, also a former PE teacher, was suspended from registering as a teacher for two years by the General Teaching Council after it was discovered he defrauded Richmond Council of £1,208, while working at Whitton School.

An audit investigation by the council’s anti-fraud team found that over a two-year period, from 2007 to 2009, Mr Palmer lodged expense claims to cover £300 for iPods, £472.50 for the catering at his 40th birthday party and a £36 bottle of perfume as a gift for his wife.

The former director of PE and school sport partnership development manager at the school, in Percy Road, Whitton, was also found to have made 43 duplicate travel claims totalling £523 between February 2007 and October 2008 and claimed twice for a £20.79 leaving gift for a former headteacher.

He was given a two-year suspension order on July 16 after being found guilty of “unacceptable professional conduct” by the teaching body.

A Richmond Council spokesman said: “It is always unfortunate when the council uncovers evidence of fraud but we have no hesitation in welcoming the decision of the professional conduct committee.

“We are dealing with public money at a time when councils across the country are being forced to consider cutting services.

“It is important that we send out the strongest signal possible that this sort of conduct will not be tolerated.”

Mr Palmer had worked out of Whitton School, his former secondary school, since 2004, when he told the Richmond and Twickenham Times: “I consider myself to be in the best job in the world”.

Growing up in Twining Avenue, the former teacher attended Trafalgar Primary School before continuing his studies at Whitton and then moving on to Richmond College for his A-levels.

As school sports partnership development manager, he worked for the council coordinating activities for Richmond School Sports Partnership, which aims to increase participation levels and raise standards in PE and school sport for young people in the borough.

But after concerns raised by management Mr Palmer was suspended in March 2009 pending an internal audit investigation.

He resigned in June that year before an internal disciplinary hearing could be heard.

The council spokesman added: “Mr Palmer resigned from the council’s employment before we could carry out our own internal disciplinary hearing.

“We were then obliged to refer his case to the General Teaching Council for England. He has paid the price for his actions.”

Mr Palmer has since repaid the money.