The treasurer of a Suffolk sports and social club who stripped it of virtually all its funds has been jailed for two years.

Ipswich Star: Leon Studd has been jailed for two years for stealing almost £27,000 from Sproughton and District Sports and Social Club. Picture: SUFFOLK POLICELeon Studd has been jailed for two years for stealing almost £27,000 from Sproughton and District Sports and Social Club. Picture: SUFFOLK POLICE (Image: Archant)

Following the discovery of the £27,000 fraud, Leon Studd, who spent the money on day to day living expenses and nights out, admitted that Sproughton and District Sports and Social club had been left “crippled” by what he had done.

Sentencing the 39-year-old, Recorder Jonathan Ashley-Norman said he had “completely exhausted” the club of its financial resources.

He said that as the fraud came to light Studd had doctored a bank statement and presented it to the club’s committee giving it a “wholly unreal” picture of its financial affairs.

Studd, of Leggatt Drive, Bramford, admitted fraud by abuse of position over a five year period between January 2012 and May 2017 involving £26,986.

Richard Kelly, prosecuting, told Ipswich Crown Court that Studd, who didn’t have a financial background, had acted as voluntary treasurer of the club for ten years before the police investigation.

He said that during the fraud Studd had mislead the club’s committee about the state of its finances and claimed that one account had more than £10,000 in it when the balance was only £356.

When the chairman checked the club’s other account he discovered more than £12,000 was missing.

“Both bank accounts were left with hardly any money and the club was left in a very difficult financial position,” said Mr Kelly.

Mr Kelly said that during the fraud Studd made 179 cash withdrawals totalling £11,200, 56 fuel purchases totalling £1,400 and 114 card purchases totalling £2,400.

Studd, who had gambling and drinking problems, also paid his £30 a month mobile phone bill out of one of the accounts.

After the offences came to light he told police he used to go out seven days a week and the fraud had been an “easy way” to pay for it. He also said he had been living beyond his means and used the money he stole to pay day to day living expenses.

Joanne Eley for Studd said her client was remorseful and had brought shame on his family.

She said he had now addressed his gambling and drink addictions and wanted to repay the money he had taken.