A CONSERVATIVE club treasurer was today starting a jail sentence for stealing more than £80,000 from the club.

Paula Loven plundered the funds of Kelvedon Conservative Club for more than four years before she was caught.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told Loven’s dishonesty had left co-workers and club members feeling badly betrayed.

Staff have been told the resulting financial crisis means their pay will be frozen for at least two years, while entertainment for club members has had to be cut back.

Recorder Godfrey Carey told Loven, 50, it had been a very serious breach of trust. He added: “You were in a trusted position as treasurer but you dealt with that trust by plundering nearly £85,000. There was a serious erosion of public confidence by what you did.”

Loven, of Riverside Way, Kelvedon, was jailed for 14 months for theft. She is expected back in court early next year for a proceeds of crime hearing, at which her assets may be confiscated and handed to the club.

Richard Stevens, prosecuting, told the court Loven was appointed treasurer in April 2005. Between then and November 2009 she helped herself to a total of £84,387.

She tried to hide her actions by writing cheques to her former husband.

Mr Stevens said the amounts taken increased as time went by. She stole £2,600 in 2005, £10,000 in 2006, £20,000 in 2007, £23,000 in 2008 and £27,000 in 2009. She was found out last winter and immediately admitted what she had done.

A statement from the club was read in court, revealing the extent of staff and members’ feelings of betrayal.

Loven’s lawyer, Peter Barlex told the court the money had not gone to fund a lavish lifestyle.

She had mortgage, loan, credit and store card debts and the money was used to pay bills, he said.

He added: “She thought she would be able to repay the sums, but it snowballed. She could not see a way out.”

He stressed Loven’s ex-husband, who received the cheques, had not known what she was doing.

Loven was now in a “desperate situation”, Mr Barlex said.

She faced the prospect of losing her home and the break-up of her family.

He added: “She is deeply sorry.”