A STEWARD is accused of stealing thousands of pounds in little more than a year from a village social club.

Christine Tate, 42, is alleged to have taken £14,773 from Southside Social Club, in Easington Village, east Durham, where she worked for 14 years, the past five as steward.

Durham Crown Court was told that attempts were made to hide the thefts by over-writing the sums paid into the club's bank account each week.

Michael Graham, prosecuting, said the discrepancies came to light in the annual audit for the year ending June 30, 2004, which was carried out several months later.

Checks revealed more shortfalls in sums supposedly paid into the bank by Mrs Tate up to September last year. The court heard that on 13 occasions in 53 weeks, the amount paid into the bank was apparently altered after the paying-in book was stamped, in one case by as much as £3,000.

Mr Graham said she was suspended and the police were called in by the club.

When interviewed, she admitted responsibility for counting and banking the takings, but denied taking any money.

Mr Graham said: "The prosecution say it is remarkable if someone else did it. They would know she would see the altered paying-in book."

The court heard that since she had been suspended, there have been no cash shortfalls, although the staff were warned about stock losses earlier this year.

Club treasurer Denise Harriman conceded that a "reasonably relaxed" attitude was taken to scrutinising the banking and that she tended to only look at the "bottom line" at the three-weekly committee meetings.

Giving evidence, Mrs Tate was asked repeatedly about the shortfalls.

She told the court: "I have no idea how the books were altered. I really wish I did, but I do not. I have no idea where the money has gone."

Asked by Judge Esmond Faulks how she failed to notice figures in the paying-in book were altered 13 times, she said: "I do not know."

Mrs Tate, of Sea View, Easington, denies theft.

The trial continues.