Paul Smith (49), of Chesterfield, started stealing the cash to pay his rent after the break-up of his marriage but admitted that before long it had ‘got out of control.’ In a spiral of theft, alcohol and gambling, Smith continually lied to his colleagues at the club who only found out what he was doing when their cheques started to bounce.
In announcing the court’s sentence, the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache, said that Smith had brought disgrace on himself and betrayed those who had trusted him.
As well as 18 months in prison, Smith was fined £500 for failing to pay his Social Security from January to March 2005.
The Bailiff was sitting with Jurats Le Breton and Georgelin.
