A children’s sports club based in Ramsgate faced possible closure after its treasurer stole more than £19,000.

The East Kent Sports School wasn’t the only victim of Edward Dengate’s dishonesty because he also stole £3,000 from Kent Cricket Board and more than £2,000 from Thanet Youth Cricket Association.

In total Dengate took £24,865 between May, 2006, and April, 2007.

When arrested, Dengate couldn’t really give any explanation save that he had spent the money on general living expenses and food and lost £5,000 in an internet scam.

Dengate, 68, of Northdown Hill, Broadstairs, appeared for sentence at Canterbury Crown Court having been committed by Thanet magstrates for the three thefts.

Jailing Dengate for 12 months, Judge Nigel van der Bijl said the victims were out of pocket and no means was put forward by Dengate’s lawyer as to how they were to be repaid.

“The community have a right to know that judges will think of the victims,” he said.

“Other people can manage in life without having to steal. You haven’t really explained where this money has gone except for the internet scam which is your own fault.

“This is a prevelant offence of people taking advantage of their position of trust and breaching that trust and despite your age it is inevitable there has to be a prison sentence. It cannot be suspended or the wrong message will go out.”

Donna East, prosecuting, said matters came to light during an audit of the East Kent Sports School’s accounts.

When questioned, Dengate said he had moved money into his own post office account to get a better rate of interest but had done so without authorisation. The club lost £19,615.

Kent Cricket Board lost £3,000 and Thanet Youth Cricket Association £2,250.

Dengate was given a chance to repay money but didn’t and when arrested made full admissions.

He had no idea what he had taken and when and couldn’t give a reasonable account where it had gone.

He had sent £5,000 abroad but lost it in a scam. He lived in a rented house and had no car.

“In the case of the East Kent Sports School as of January, there were concerns that it would have to fold as they were unable to pay their bills in view of the large amount of money taken,” said Miss East.

Lucy Luttman, for Dengate, said he had abused the trust put in him and the detection of his wrongdoing was something of a relief.

He was motivated by desperation rather than greed, having £33,000 debts including a bank loan and credit card debts. He hadn’t told his wife the true position and was struggling to keep it from her.

“The debts were incurred over 10 to 12 years on general living expenses and food and occasional money to his son. He got involved in an internet scam which asked him to pay money to release funds abroad and he thought he would get money to pay off his debts,” said Miss Luttman.

She said Dengate wished to try and pay back some of the money and was deeply concerned he may have caused worse financial difficulties than he realised.