A warning has been issued to every minister in the United Synagogue to be on their guard in case a convicted conman turns up on their doorstep.

The warning was sent out a day after the man, 40-year-old Bradley Silver, was given a suspended prison sentence after he admitted three charges relating to forged cheques.

Silver, of Woodside Park, North London, faced five charges when he appeared at Wood Green Crown Court last Thursday. He pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly making false representations - forging cheques - and one of possessing a controlled article for use in fraud. Two other charges relating to cheque-forgery were allowed to remain on file.

Silver was sentenced to a total of nine months' imprisonment, suspended for two years; a 12-month supervision order; a requirement to attend a "Think First" Home Office programme for persistent offenders; and ordered to pay £4,000 compensation and £175 prosecution costs within 21 days.

Rabbi Julian Shindler, executive director of the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue, said: "As a result of information that came here, I brought this to the attention of my colleagues. I sent a message that they should simply be on their guard if this person appears in their community."