A charity boss says she would welcome back a former volunteer who stole from the group five times.
Dorothy McGregor, of Maundy Relief, spoke of her disappointment after Christopher Simmons admitted stealing money and food from one of their bases, at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court.
The 27-year-old, of Cedar Street, Accrington, had pleaded guilty to five counts of theft and one count of entering Maundy Relief drop-in centre with the intention of stealing from the charity which is devoted to helping people in poverty.
After the hearing, founder Dorothy, 78, said Simmons would be welcome back as a guest of the charity, but not to work as a volunteer.
She told the Observer: "It’s very sad because he could have asked for anything he wanted and he would have got it.
"He didn’t need to do any of that.
"He was well respected by us all and a sweet boy.
"What he did was quite planned.
"He knew what he was doing – which is sad."
A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said that the defendant previously worked at the drop-in centre where he had access to the keys for all the buildings owned by the charity.
The manager became aware of several occasions when money and food had gone missing but there was no sign of a break-in.
The spokeman said that on November 30 last year the manager stayed overnight at Maundy Furniture and apprehended the defendant, who had entered the property with a key. Simmons was given a 12-month community order with a 56-day curfew and supervision requirement, ordered to pay compensation of £40 and pay costs of £85.
Maundy Relief started out more than 13 years ago.
The operation has 34 volunteers and helps 200 disadvantaged and vulnerable people regularly every day – providing food and small grants as well as a safe house for emotional and spiritual advice. Dorothy was awarded the Freedom of the Borough in 2001 for services provided at Maundy Relief.
