THE Chairman of the Civil Committee in charge of No 472 Squadron Air Training Corps at Hoylake stole their funds, Wirral magistrates heard.

Simon Mark Wilkinson, aged 42, of Market Street, Hoylake, admitted taking £1,674 over a three-month period and blamed heavy debt.

He was ordered to repay the money in full. He also had to pay £40 costs and was given a combination order of two years' probation and 80 hours' community work.

The court was told inquiries were made after a bank audit revealed discrepancies. Paying in slips had been altered. Wilkinson said under questioning some of the money had gone on household expenses but he also claimed some of it was used on behalf of the Corps. He said he was in debt to the sum of £14,000.

John Weate, defending, said Wilkinson had intended to pay back the money. But the borrowing gathered momentum and became too much for him. To a certain extent he was relieved when things came to a head.

He had been involved with the Corps for a substantial period. The offences had caused distress all round and he apologised to everyone concerned.

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