A FORMER club steward walked free from court after the prosecution chose not to proceed with an allegation that he stole cash from the premises.

Gary Powell was accused of taking about £3,500, which was said to have gone missing from the safe at the now closed Relton Terrace Workmen’s Club, in Chester-le-Street.

Suspicions arose in the wake of an alleged burglary at the club, in Red Rose Terrace, off Ropery Lane, last June.

The suspected break-in was reported to police by Mr Powell, but following initial investigations he was arrested and interviewed over the missing money.

He was subsequently charged with theft of cash by an employee, on dates between June 12 and 15, 2014.

But, at the first hearing in the case, at Durham Crown Court earlier this year, his barrister, Tony Davis, said Mr Powell would contest the matter.

Trial arrangements were agreed and 47-year-old Mr Powell, of Briarwood Avenue, Pelton Fell , near Chester-le-Street, was bailed to return for hearing, listed in the week of June 22.

When the case was called on, prosecuting counsel Tamara Pawson told the court: “The officer in the case confirmed to me this morning that the Crown can’t exclude the possibility someone else entered the club at the location of the alleged theft.

“Having taken further instructions, I now offer no evidence.”

Judge Christopher Prince said: “That is the right decision.

“In a prosecution proceeding solely on the basis one can prove, that there were only two entrances to these premises, and no-one went in between him locking up and opening the premises, the case must fall when a third entrance is introduced.

“And so, the prosecution can’t rule out the premises were simply burgled.

“I would have been obliged to have stopped the case on the basis there was no evidence on which the jury can convict.”

Addressing the defendant, Judge Prince said: “So, that’s the end of the case Mr Powell and you are free to leave.”