A CONMAN who stole more than £50,000 from a Conservative club has cleared his debts.

It is believed Kevin Aylott, who was found to have forged 114 cheques over four years to use for his gambling and drinking habits, has repaid the stolen money to the Wellington Conservative Club.

Mr Aylott, of Sylvan Road, Wellington, admitted his crimes on September 8 at Taunton Magistrates’ Court and was later sentenced to a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Speaking to Aylott at the hearing, the judge said: “You know because you are an intelligent man… that what you have done is extremely serious.

“Being entrusted with the funds of friends and then effectively ripping them off is the pits. It is highly unacceptable.

“This fraud went on in that trust over a period of time. It has caused the club a lot of problems.

“The moment you realised the game was totally up you co-operated with the police.

“You have reached the age of 63 with an otherwise exemplary record.

“You have got a metastatic form of cancer which means that you are going to have to have ongoing treatment. In addition, you have a serious liver condition and a serious endocrine problem in addition to that, and difficulty with walking.

“You are also responsible for your mother who is 90 and lives with you.

“I am also taking into account that the Conservative Club will not lose from this and you have already made plans to repay them in full.”

Ed Boyce, defending, told the court that Aylott had released equity in his home allowing him to pay back the money he owes the club.

He took £58,000 from the club, so minus his £177 a month payment he still owed around £53,486.

A 24-month supervision requirement was also imposed on Aylott, as well as a curfew requirement.

My Aylott declined to comment on whether or not the money had been repaid when contacted by the County Gazette.