Published at 17:04, Monday, 28 January 2013

A mum-of-two has been told to prepare for prison after stealing more than £100,000 from the Cumbria Lawn Tennis Association.

Susan Haynes

Susan Haynes, 51, of Yewdale Road, Morton, Carlisle, was the organisation’s volunteer treasurer when - over six years - she milked its funds.

At Carlisle Crown Court today, she admitted stealing a total of £122,683 between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2011.

She also pleaded guilty to fraudulently using the association's credit card to spend £7,184 on herself.

Haynes’ defence barrister Kim Whittlestone told the court that though she admitted stealing the money she disputed the actual amount. She added she had paid back some of the money.

Haynes, the single mother of two children with special needs, was remanded on bail to await her sentence but Judge Paul Batty QC warned her she was likely to go to prison.

He said: “This was a gross breach of trust over many years when you were in a high position of responsibility.

“The net result is that an organisation that could ill afford it has lost in excess of £100,000.

“Plainly the court will be considering a custodial sentence of some length and you must prepare yourself for that eventuality."

Haynes will be sentenced on March 8.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk