A former social club steward has gone on trial accused of stealing over £23,000 in nine months.

David Charnock, 45, was suspended from his job at the St Anne's Catholic Social Centre in Keighley after an auditor's investigation found alleged discrepancies between the club's takings and its bank accounts.

When he was arrested and questioned in October 1997, Charnock could give no explanation for the shortfall but admitted to betting on horses.

Prosecutor Michael Pearson told a jury at Bradford Crown Court yesterday that the Crown's case was simply that Charnock correctly recorded the takings from the bar and gaming machines, but failed to bank the full amounts between January and September 1997.

After Charnock's suspension committee members found that the £1,500 float for the tills was also missing, said Mr Pearson.

Charnock, of Browfield Terrace, Silsden, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of theft relating to the takings and the float money.

Mr Pearson said Charnock was appointed steward at the 629-member club in mid-1996 and was responsible for banking the weekly takings from the bar and gaming machines.

"In essence the prosecution allegation against him is that over a period of time from January 1, 1997 to about September 8, 1997 he had the responsibility to bank the takings of the club from the two bars, together with the gaming machines," he said.

"But it is clear from an examination of the till rolls and records of takings from the gaming machines what the total amount banked should have been over the period.

"It's from the examination of these particular items that it's possible to say that over a particular period what Mr Charnock banked was not what he should have according to the records and when questioned he had no explanation for the deficiency."

Mr Pearson said prior to Charnock's appointment the club had not experienced any financial irregularities, but an investigation was launched when the club got into difficulty paying its bills.

Mr Pearson said the auditor concluded that there were substantial deficiencies in the money being banked by Charnock.

The trial continues.

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