Charity worker jailed for theft

A building society fund-raiser has been jailed for 16 months after admitting stealing more than £70,000 collected for charities.

Debbie Dance, 39, of Newcastle under Lyme, Staffs, admitted 15 theft charges, three of fraud and asked for 156 to be taken into consideration.

She worked for Birmingham and Midshires Building Society in Wolverhampton.

The charities affected included Compton Hospice, Birmingham Children's Hospital and the Cosford-based air ambulance.

Dance was responsible for charitable donations at the building society, organising all of the society's community activities and was on the committee of the Wolverhampton Marathon.

She stole the money from funds including the Tsunami Appeal and Children in Need.

At a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday Judge Eades told her she had been greedy and had pursued the thefts with vigour and determination.

The judge ordered a confiscation hearing for 2 November, when some of the losses may be recouped from her assets.