Long-serving Longbenton athletics group treasurer, 76,…

Long-serving Longbenton athletics group treasurer, 76, helped himself to thousands of pounds

A long-serving treasurer of an athletics group helped himself to thousands of pounds in a disgraceful breach of trust.

Leslie Venmore had held the voluntary position with the North East Athletics Association for decades when he started diverting funds to himself to spend on day-to-day living expenses.

Now the 76-year-old, who has never been in trouble before, has been given a suspended prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court after he admitted fraud by abuse of position. The court heard that between February 2019 and September 2020, he fraudulently transferred £13,852.53p from the association to himself.

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said: "He admitted committing the offence by getting blank cheques signed by another member of the North East Athletics Association, who trusted him. He said he started using the money for nothing in particular, other than living costs."

The association's current treasurer said in a statement read to the court that they had to build from scratch and organise events to raise funds and added that they have not got any of the money back.

Venmore, of West Farm Rise, Longbenton, North Tyneside, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and was sentenced to 12 months suspended for 12 months with rehabilitation.

Recorder Tony Hawks told him: "Yours is a sad case. You were born just after the last war and you have lived, until recently, a totally blameless life and have put a lot of work in, unpaid, to a sports club.

"But you have now gone and disgraced yourself by, in effect, stealing proceeds of the club. You did not spend it on high living, it was probably just spent on making your life a bit more pleasant than it might otherwise have been.

"As you acknowledge, you have brought shame on yourself and, no doubt, members of your family by ending up where you are in the dock of the crown court. It's a sad day for you and your family and the club."

Jane Foley, defending, said: "It's because he couldn't make ends meet that he ended up in the position he is in today.. He feels a deep sense of shame and embarrassment.

"He has lost his good character having enjoyed his position as treasurer for more than 40 years. It was a role he respected but as he began to struggle financially, the temptation was too great and he couldn't resist it."

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