A court heard that club treasurer Peter Silverwood stole more than 14,000 for holidays, clothes and records by forging cheques, writes Rebecca Smith.

Silverwood, 25, of Marston Ferry Court, Oxford, stole the money from Abingdon Gymnastics Club in Radley between December 1998 and October 1999, Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Alan Blake, prosecuting, said club members had no idea the money was missing as Silverwood had massaged the accounts. He had copied the signatures of Maureen Lock and Neil Moulster, who were officers at the club. Silverwood, who was treasurer for two years, joined the club when he was nine years old.

Mr Blake said Silverwood confessed to Mr Moulster and told him he intended to pay the money back. He later sent the club a letter.

Silverwood pleaded guilty to charges of theft and making a false instrument.

Nigel Daly, defending, said he had taken out a 10,000 loan to pay back some of the debt and now had a new job to enable him to pay the rest. He added: "He has got himself into the position in which he can right the wrong he has done the club."

Judge Paul Clark sentenced Silverwood to 200 hours community service, ordered him to repay the 14,200 to the club and pay 256 costs.

He said: "You are not a typical criminal. You were treasurer of the club and you became a thief and a forger.

"Without question, this normally is an offence which custody is the only proper sentence. "What saves you is your frankness and that it was you who went along and confessed what you had done that is the one thing that saves you from prison."