THE debt-ridden treasurer of a railway society who helped herself to £18,000 from the club’s coffers escaped being sent to prison yesterday.

Judith Landon, of Oswald Road, Bournemouth, admitted to fraud from Wimborne Railway Society spanning a six-year period, when she forged signatures and siphoned money into her own account.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how the offences had come to light in May this year when a £200 cheque “bounced”, arousing the suspicion of society members.

Prosecutor Heather Shimmen said chairman Graham Bevan had been surprised to find just 16 pence in one of the 35-year-old club’s accounts, and £155 in the other, when he had thought there was more than £7,000 deposited there.

Ms Shimmen added that 53-year-old Landon had been using her ill-gotten gains to pay off her debts, intending to pay them back, but the fraud had spiralled out of control.

Mitigating, Richard Tutt said it was a very sad case where Landon, who previously worked as a secretary and a carer, had lost her good character and many friends.

“As she started to borrow more and more money she really put her head in the sand,” he added.

“Otherwise she has been a useful member of society.”

Handing Landon a nine-month sentence, suspended for two years, and 200 hours community service, Judge Samuel Wiggs said: “I am sure you recognise that this is a gross breach of trust because you effectively had sole control of the accounts.

“You took a lot of people who were your friends effectively for a ride. I understand that they feel extremely upset by what you did.”

Speaking outside the court, WRS Chairman Graham Bevan said it would take years to recover their financial security.