Pam Clarke

The former treasurer of a Shropshire village residents’ association who forged a colleague’s signature on cheques to obtain cash for herself has been told to do 160 hours community work.

Telford magistrates also yesterday banned Pamela Clarke for 12 months from becoming a member of voluntary organisations for whom she may handle their funds.

The 49-year-old, of Coronation Street, Highley, near Bridgnorth, admitted seven charges of forging a colleague’s signature to obtain a total of £630 from the village residents’ association.

She was also given a 12-month supervision order and told to pay £280 compensation. The court heard Clarke forged the signature of Christine Davis, another association official, on two cheques made payable to her and another five to draw varying amounts of cash.

Becky Jones, prosecuting, said Clarke had sole charge of the management of the association accounts and normally paid all its invoices. The court heard she always required a second signature on the cheques before they could be paid.

Mrs Jones said bank staff became suspicious last July when cheques ranging from £30 to £200 were presented at a branch in Kidderminster, even though the association’s account was held in Bridgnorth.

The court heard Mrs Davis, the association chairwoman, had not authorised the cash withdrawal and Clarke had forged her signature to obtain the money.

Clarke initially denied forging the signatures but yesterday admitted the offences.

She said she was sorry and knew what she had done was wrong.

Marcus Hart, for Clarke, said his client had paid more than £300 for a coach trip out of her own pocket and used some of the cash to reimburse herself for that expense.

He said she also paid out for sweets and drinks for the residents’ association outing and prizes for a fundraising tombola.

“However, there is no evidence to substantiate that,” he told the court.

Mr Hart said Clarke’s gain was “significantly less than the £630″.