Treasurer must return stolen funds

A TREASURER struggling with money who stole charity funds says he wants to pay it back – and a judge told him to put his money where his mouth is.

Paul Brewster took over as treasurer at Yatton and District Summer Skittles League.

Bristol Crown Court heard when he was asked why no charitable cheques had been sent out, he said he had taken all of it but would try to pay it back.

After a letter sent to Brewster regarding a repayment plan was ignored, police were called in and he was arrested.

It transpired he had helped himself to some £7,500 which he spent in supermarkets, shops, pubs and cafes.

Brewster, 65, of Millers Close in Pill, admitted fraud and was frank when interviewed.

Judge Martin Picton deferred sentence until November 1, telling him: “Let’s turn frank into action. I’ll defer sentence for six months, he must raise some money – let’s see him raise at least half the money in six months.”

Neil Treharne, prosecuting, said Brewster took on the role of treasurer for the league, which raises money for good causes.

As treasurer he was trusted with bank accounts and payments, the court heard.

Mr Treharne said the league’s account figures seemed in order from 2015 to 2018. But in March 2020, when no charity donation cheques were sent out, Brewster was challenged and confessed to taking funds.

A “remorseful and apologetic” Brewster told police he was struggling financially. He said he took the money in the hope of repaying it in future.

Eshanul Oarith, defending, said: “He started digging a hole and it got deeper and deeper. By the time he was found out it was too big of a hole to fill in. He hoped to pay the money back but it got out of hand. He used to be a taxi driver but work dried up and he had no finances himself.”

The website for Yatton and District Summer Skittles League states it was formed in 1976 with the aim of promoting summer skittles and to raise money for a local charitable cause, with £112,000 having been donated to charities.

For the 2019 season league players voted from their own list of chosen charities. The three chosen were Cancer Research

UK, Diabetes UK South West and Great Western Air Ambulance and the league ways payments will be made at the end of the 2022 season.

He must raise some money – let’s see him raise at least half the money in six months JUDGE MARTIN PICTON