A CROOKED treasurer who stole £58,000 from a Conservative club has been spared jail.

Kevin Aylott forged 114 cheques over four years, and then used the money to fund his gambling and drinking habits, Taunton Crown Court heard at his sentencing earlier today (Friday, September 30).

His fraudulent lifestyle was uncovered when Aylott was forced to go into hospital and the books were handed over to a stand-in.

Aylott, 63, of Sylvan Road, Wellington, pleaded guilty at a previous hearing at Taunton Magistrates' Courts on September 8 and was sent to crown court for sentencing.

In court this morning, Mr Recorder Kevin De Haan said: “I am going to impose a 12-months prison sentence suspended for two years.

"He has come within a whisker of going to prison. There are a number of unusual factors in this case."

Speaking to Aylott, the judge said: “You know because you are an intelligent man… that what you have done is extremely serious.

"Being entrusted with the funds of friends and then effectively ripping them off is the pits. It is highly unacceptable.

“This fraud went on in that trust over a period of time. It has caused the club a lot of problems.

“The moment you realised the game was totally up you co-operated with the police.

“You have reached the age of 63 with an otherwise exemplary record.

"You have got a metastatic form of cancer which means that you are going to have to have ongoing treatment.

“In addition you have a serious liver condition and a serious endocrine problem in addition to that, and difficulty with walking.

"You are also responsible for your mother who is 90 and lives with you.

“I am also taking into account that the Conservative club will not lose from this and you have already made plans to repay them in full.”

Ed Boyce, defending, told the court that Aylott had released equity in his home allowing him to pay back the money he owes the club.

He took £58,000 from the club, so minus his £177 a month payment he still owes it around £53,486.

A 24-month supervision requirement was also imposed on Aylott, as well as a curfew requirement that means he will be electronically monitored between 7pm and 7am for three months.