The former chairman of Starbeck Bowling Club has pleaded guilty to stealing more than £3,000 from the organisation.
Donald Palmer, 70, of Eleanor Drive, Harrogate, volunteered to carry out work on footpaths at the club in 2019.
He was given multiple signed, blank cheques to buy materials but used them for his own benefit.
At Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday, Palmer admitted stealing £3,334 between November 15 and December 13, 2019.
He was ordered to pay back the sum at a rate of £140 a month and escaped further punishment.
Solicitor David Dedman, representing Palmer, said his client had taken “advantage” of the club’s trust and was sorry for his actions. He said:
“This is a tricky case for a number of reasons. Mr Palmer voluntarily did the works at the club. He agrees he took the money, he was given blank, signed cheques and took advantage of this. The club benefitted and lost as a result of his actions.
“He is 70, has never been in trouble and lives off his state pension. I would ask we deal with this here rather than going to crown court.”
Read more:
- Two men face charges after fight outside Harrogate McDonald’s
- Knaresborough man denies sexual assault and child exploitation charges
Magistrate Christopher Harrison agreed it was difficult to reach a verdict. He told Pamler:
“We’ve taken into account your guilty plea, good character and that you have no criminal history and the probability of you troubling a court again is unlikely. We are going to give you a compensation order to pay the £3,334.51 back to the club.”
‘A shame it came to this’
Club secretary Steve Day told the Stray Ferret after the hearing he noticed funds had “dwindled” when he received a bank statement.
He said when the money wasn’t reimbursed, the club decided to take action.
Mr Day added:
“We are pleased it has been resolved, it was just a shame it had to come to this. Mr Palmer was chairman and first team captain and was always very supportive of the club.”
The club, situated next to Starbeck Baths, dates back to 1920 and has eight league teams.
