A MOTHER who stole £1,200 from a school fund-raising group had been unable to face the "awful truth" of her dishonesty, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Susan Jayne Wetherby abused her position of trust as treasurer by keeping cash raised through fund-raising events organised by the Friends of Edisford School, Clitheroe, where both her children were pupils.

But, despite the fact that the money had not been paid into the bank, Wetherby initially denied the offence, claiming there must have been some kind of mistake.

And Daniel King, defending, said his client's denial was indicative of just how out of character the offences were and how difficult it had been for her to face up to the truth.

"This case has already had a profound affect on my client and her children and she has already been punished in ways other than you will impose today," said Mr King.

Wetherby, 29, formerly of Clitheroe Road, Bashall Eaves, now living in Platt Close, Accrington, pleaded guilty to four charges of theft of cash amounts of £220, £720, £126 and £175.

She was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for two years, ordered to do 80 hours community punishment and pay £1,242 compensation.

Peter Wilde, prosecuting, said the Friends of Edisford School was a committee of teachers, parents and support staff which raised money for the school by organising various social events. The money raised was used to pay for equipment, trips and other extras.

Mr Wilde said Wetherby was appointed treasurer in September 2002 and on October 15 paid the proceeds of a Christmas auction, £178, into the bank.

"Following that there were four further events, a Halloween disco, a Christmas fair, a Valentine's disco and a car boot sale which together raised over £1,200," said Mr Wilde.

"It was noticed by the headmaster that this money appeared to be missing and the police were informed."

After her arrest in July, Wetherby had denied taking the money both to the police and in court until finally entering her guilty pleas.

Mr King said Wetherby had been invited to be treasurer of the association.

At the time she was diagnosed as suffering from depression and found day-to-day tasks difficult.

She gave up her job on the check-out at a Clitheroe supermarket.

"When she took on the position of treasurer she was struggling, emotionally, medically and financially," said Mr King.

He said when Wetherby kept the first amount of money, she fully intended to pay it back.

"It was a misguided intention because it was difficult to see where the money was coming from," he said.

Mr King said that when she was charged Wetherby, who had no previous convictions, had been thrown out of the association.

"As often happens parents talked about it and their children heard," said Mr King.

"Children can be so cruel and my client's children who are aged seven and eight. were teased about their mother being a thief and stealing from school."

"Eventually she was forced, as a result of her own behaviour, to remove the children from school.

"She left her parents' home, found accommodation in Accrington and a school for the children. Probably the worst punishment she has endured is that from 3am this morning her daughter has been sobbing uncontrollably.

"She was scared she may lose her mother."