Former mayor is jailed for theft

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A former mayor who stole almost £40,000 to pay off her online gambling debts has been jailed for 12 months.

Jayne Yeomans, 49, of Quarrolhall Crescent, Carronshore, in Falkirk, stole the money from Carlisle South End Constitutional Club.

She served for a year as Carlisle Mayor in the 1990s and was the club's steward with responsibility for finances.

She was jailed for theft of £38,726 and falsifying a mortgage document after admitting the charges.

Carlisle Crown Court heard Yeomans started working at the club in 2002 and was promoted to the post of steward.

Kenneth Hay, prosecuting, said she developed an "extreme gambling problem" in August 2007.

New club secretary Francis Nugent had raised concerns about the club's finances.

Yeomans assured him that the money was being banked and there was money in the safe, the court heard.

However, she had stolen £30,000 and spent it on internet gambling sessions.

'Overwhelmingly sorry'

In an attempt to avoid detection she forged her husband's signature and raised a £25,000 mortgage on the family home in October 2007.

She paid back most of the cash but her addiction led to her stealing again.

The club's committee discovered the theft when they opened the safe and found £30,000 was missing.

When she realised she had been caught she took an overdose, the court heard.

Yeomans' barrister Gregory Hoare said she was "overwhelmingly sorry".

He said: "She got into online betting and wasn't able to help herself in the way she helped so many other people.

Judge Paul Batty QC told her: "People trusted you and you betrayed their trust in the most appalling way.

"I take into account your fall from grace which is now absolute and complete."

He said he also had in mind her years of public service, charitable work and testimonials on her behalf.