A SCHOOL bursar stole £100,000 from a primary school to pay for holidays, a mobile phone and a television, a court heard.

Preston Crown Court heard Susan Ashworth had stolen the money from Baxenden St John’s Church of England Primary School between January 2011 and August 2016.

The court heard Ashworth was found out after a member of Lancashire County Council’s audit team visited the school and discovered cheques had been made in her name with her signature passing through her hands.

Jane Dagnall, prosecuting, said the money had also been used to pay mortgage payments and fund her son’s university degree.

Ashworth, 58, had retired when the money was discovered to have gone missing.

Mrs Dagnall read out a victim statement from the school’s headteacher, Christina Regan, which said the school had been deprived of staff and equipment because of the theft.

She said: “Mrs Ashworth systematically misled and manipulated the financial picture for the headteacher.

“It is beyond comprehension.

“We hope the money will be repaid and the children get the education they deserve.”

Mrs Regan also said the loss of money resulted in trips to Accrington College and a nearby mosque having to be partially funded by parents. She said the money could have provided extra teaching assistants.

Tim Storrie, defending, said it was significant to note some of the money had been repaid.

He said: “She was a retiring lady when she was arrested.

“When she was working she had paid money back.

“This is a case of breach of trust.

“One can only imagine the hours, if not weeks of anxiety that the staff at the school (had to endure). Questions would be asked ‘Why did she do it?’

“She could not believe it of herself.”

The court heard Mrs Ashworth’s husband would not be able to cope with her going to prison.

As the school was so small, Mr Storrie said his client’s actions were always ‘doomed to be discovered’.

Ashworth, of Dorset Drive, Clitheroe, had pleaded guilty to one count of theft and one count of converting criminal property over a five-year period.

Ashworth is set to be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on Tuesday.