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20/03/2007
Organist pleads guilty to swindling church money
A former organist has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly £150,000 from the church and the bank where she worked.
Muriel Stewart, 55, of Carrowdoon Road, Dunloy, a member of the Women’s Association at Dunloy Presbyterian Church in County Antrim, and was also employed as a senior official in the First Trust Bank in Ballymoney.
It is claimed that £96,685 was taken from the church, £29,460 from the First Trust and another £19,440 was stolen from William Barton, who is believed to be a member of her congregation.
The thefts were thought to have been carried out between January 1998 and Christmas 2003.
Defence Barrister Alan Kane told Antrim Crown Court the sale of the woman’s home, which would pay off the money owed, was at an advanced stage.
Although the judge, Piers Grant, allowed Stewart to be released on continuing bail of £500, he told her this would not mean she would automatically be spared jail.
The woman wept when the judge warned her she could be jailed for the thefts.
He said: “You have pleaded guilty to three very serious charges.”
“A custodial sentence must be a consideration.”
(JM/SP)
Muriel Stewart, 55, of Carrowdoon Road, Dunloy, a member of the Women’s Association at Dunloy Presbyterian Church in County Antrim, and was also employed as a senior official in the First Trust Bank in Ballymoney.
It is claimed that £96,685 was taken from the church, £29,460 from the First Trust and another £19,440 was stolen from William Barton, who is believed to be a member of her congregation.
The thefts were thought to have been carried out between January 1998 and Christmas 2003.
Defence Barrister Alan Kane told Antrim Crown Court the sale of the woman’s home, which would pay off the money owed, was at an advanced stage.
Although the judge, Piers Grant, allowed Stewart to be released on continuing bail of £500, he told her this would not mean she would automatically be spared jail.
The woman wept when the judge warned her she could be jailed for the thefts.
He said: “You have pleaded guilty to three very serious charges.”
“A custodial sentence must be a consideration.”
(JM/SP)
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