A trusted former parish treasurer stole £2,700 from a West Bromwich church, a court was told.

Peter Jones, aged 41, from Lunt Grove, in Quinton, took cash he was supposed to be banking from St Phillip’s Church. Today Father Rolston Deson said he had been betrayed by a man whose family had been in his congregation at the Beeches Road church for years. 

“I took the funerals of his mother, his father and I married him and for him to do that is really despicable,” he said. “I trusted him. Churches rely on trust a lot and when anyone betrays that trust it is wicked.”

Miss Sarah Jackson, prosecuting, told West Bromwich Magistrates Court that Jones had worked as a voluntary treasurer from April 2005 until December 2007. 

She said the new treasurer carried out checks and found on January 4 this year a cheque was cashed for £1,500, followed by a cheque for £1,200 cashed on January 17

It was later confirmed Jones was in possession of pre-signed blank cheques and had cashed them.

After his arrest on April 2, Jones initially protested his innocence but later admitted taking the money. 

Representing himself, Jones admitted theft and described it as “a lapse of his judgement”.

He said: “As far as I was concerned, as a treasurer no-one really appreciated what I had done for the church.

“I shouldn’t have done what I have done. I regret what I have done.”

Father Deson said: “The church at the best of times is really truly struggling and our parish is one of the most deprived in the borough. The congregation is elderly and can you just imagine the pensioners, they love their church and all are all generous in their giving and even the Sunday school children give their pennies. Can you imagine taking that money, it’s really disgusting.”

Sentencing was adjourned for reports.