A couple accused of stealing more than £12,000 from a social club were cleared of all charges yesterday.

Alyson Lock, 35, and Anthony Lock, 37, worked at the Hepworth and Grandage Social Club, in North Hylton Road, Sunderland, from November 2002.

Mr Lock was a steward in charge of finances and his wife was his assistant.

They were accused of 12 charges of theft from January to May, last year.

But on the second day of their trial at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday, Tim Gittens, prosecuting, said he was offering no evidence against the couple after it was revealed that money had been going missing from the club before the couple started working there.

Mr Gittens said a former steward had been accused of stealing £18,000 but the case against him was also dropped.

Mr Gittens told jurors: "I had to prove to your satisfaction, so you were sure it could only be these defendants.

"But in light of the position, I don't think that is properly the position."

Mr Gittens said it would have been unfair to proceed with the trial and jurors were instructed to enter not guilty verdicts on all charges.

Mr Recorder Burn said: "Someone along the line has taken the best part of £30,000 out of the members of the Hepworth and Grandage.

"Maybe, one of these days, that person will be apprehended, but not today."

The couple, from Rothbury Road, Sunderland, had denied all charges against them.