Treasurer stole £4000 from playgroup funds (From Western Telegraph)

Treasurer stole £4000 from playgroup funds

2:10pm Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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A Pembrokeshire playgroup was pushed to the brink of closure after its former voluntary treasurer stole thousands of pounds.

The breach of trust by 25-year-old Kirsty Michelle Wilkinson left parents and staff at Tavernspite Playgroup shocked and devastated, and threatened the future of the organisation.

Ms Wilkinson was recently given a suspended prison sentence by a court after she admitted theft and false accounting.

And playgroup volunteers have now spoken out following the hearing, urging other voluntary groups to take care when giving people positions of trust.

“Let this be a stark warning for other groups who take people on at face value, that they carry out relevant checks to prevent this ever happening again,” said a spokeswoman for the group, which has been in existence for more than 20 years.

The playgroup holds several fundraising events every year, and believed its bank balance was in a healthy state. But in April 2009, cheques for staff wages bounced and a bank statement showed that the account was overdrawn.

Kirsty Wilkinson, who had taken over as treasurer of the group the previous September, eventually confessed that she had been using the playgroup’s money for herself.

“Our stress levels hit the roof, and our family lives were taken over by this dreadful situation,” said the spokeswoman.

“We just could not believe that someone who we trusted could steal the children’s money. This was money raised by the parents, staff and committee to run the playgroup for the children.”

The spokeswoman added: “We cannot emphasise how serious this situation was for us, and how near it put the playgroup to closure. But our future is now safe, thanks to our recent fun day, donations and £1,000 given by the Pre-School Playgroups Association.

“Despite the turmoil of the past year, Tavernspite Playgroup continues to thrive, thanks to the dedication of parents and staff.”

The playgroup has just passed its Wales PPA Quality Assurance Inspection with flying colours, and is looking forward to the new term. There are still a few places available, and anyone who would like further details can visit www.tavernspite playgroup.co.uk.

Kirsty Michelle Wilkinson, of Plume of Feathers, Tavernspite, appeared before magistrates in Haverfordwest on July 22nd.

She admitted the theft of £4,000 from the playgroup funds between September 1st, 2008 and April 30th, 2009, and one charge of false accounting.

She pleaded not guilty to five further charges of false accounting, and these were dismissed after no evidence was offered by the prosecution.

She was given a six month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with supervision and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and £85 costs. The court heard that she had already paid back £3,000 to the playgroup.