A WOMAN accused of stealing thousands of pounds from the Ministry of Defence and a youth football club gave evidence at her trial today.

Natalie Ross, of Reedmace Road, Bicester, told jurors at Oxford Crown Court she often withdrew cash from the account of Highfield Juniors Football Club, in Bicester, to reimburse team managers who bought equipment.

The 39-year-old, who was club treasurer and in charge of public funds at Bicester Garrison, denies 17 counts of theft, obtaining by deception and false accounting between 2004 and 2007.

Graham Russell, defending, said a change of chairman at Highfield Juniors – which saw Branislav Govorusa replaced by Nigel Trinder – allowed the running of the club, and its finances, to become “a little bit slapdash, a little bit ramshackle”.

Mrs Ross said managers would call asking to be reimbursed for equipment or for her to sign blank cheques for them to fill out.

She did not keep accounts or obtain receipts, she said, adding: “I took it up with Mr Trinder that I wasn’t receiving receipts. He promised he would sort it, but nothing ever happened.”

Mr Russell said Mrs Ross’s cash withdrawals from the club account were to keep a cash float at her home to pay managers.

He said a situation when a float was needed arose at the MoD.

She admitted paying phone bills and a mortgage broker’s fee using club cheques because she had no chequebook at the time and the club owed her money.

The trial continues.