A former Senior Education Officer Northern has been sentenced to three years and six months for 33 counts of forgery related offenses.

Joe Hewson Turagasau was the Principal Signatory of Ratu Emeri Catholic Primary school.

Three signatories were required to sign in order to withdraw money, however Turagasau forged the signature of one of the signatories on 11 different occasions from September through to December in 2002.

He withdrew around $13 000 for personal use. He will be eligible for parole after 2 years.