Devastated Morley club members said secretary's £52k theft 'felt like it was from our wallets'
Devastated social club members said the theft of almost £52,000 by their former secretary felt personal, saying “it felt like it was from our wallets”.
Shameless Dean Hayward spent years secretly draining the bank accounts of Bruntcliffe Working Men’s Club in Morley.
He was given a suspended sentence at Leeds Crown Court recently, under the proviso that he pays back the money.
But during the sentencing hearing, club treasurer Christine Townend read out an impact statement outlining the almost-fatal impact Hayward’s long-running crime had on the popular venue.
She said that committee members suffered “significant stress”, adding: “At several points it was believed that closure was unavoidable.
“Members were shocked to learn that someone regarded as a trusted figure within the club and a personal friend to many could have committed such an offence.
“The club is owned by its members, and the impact was felt as though money had been taken directly from the individual members wallets.”
She said that due to Hayward’s actions, rumours spread about possible closure, piling more uncertainty onto the club’s future.
Mrs Townend said: “Word quickly spread and members who had booked our function rooms became very anxious that the club may close and at short notice would need to find alternative venues.
“It severely undermined trust within the club and caused lasting emotional distress to those responsible for safeguarding the club.”
Mrs Townend also added that his Hayward’s crime occurred when the club was at its most vulnerable during the pandemic, with one member digging into their own pocket.
She added: “A committee member’s actions in personally supporting the purchase of stock were instrumental in keeping the club’s doors open during a critical period.
“The committee has since implemented comprehensive financial safeguards and governance measures to protect the future of the club and prevent a recurrence.”
As club secretary, Hayward had been in charge of the day-to-day finances from 2019 to 2024 with access to the club’s bank cards.
He made regular cash withdrawals of £250 from ATMs around the country, with amounts then being deposited into his own account.
From January 2020 to March 2024, it was thought he took almost £52,000, and all the while was telling committee members that the club had around £10,000 in reserve.
Hayward’s deception only came to light in March 2024 when the club received a letter confirming that a VAT payment from one of the club’s accounts had not been taken because of insufficient funds.
Following checks, it was found one of the accounts had reached its £10,000 overdraft limit, while the other contained amounts that were “much lower than expected”.
The total amount he stole came to £51,686.
He also failed to pay the bar manager’s tax, National Insurance contributions and pension contributions.
Hayward, of Elmfield Court, Morley, was arrested on October 27, 2024, and two Rolex watches were seized from his home.
The 50-year-old admitted theft from employer and has no previous convictions.
He was interviewed twice and claimed he was threatened by builders from whom he obtained a quote for the roof repairs to the club. He said they demanded £31,000.
But in mitigation, his barrister Anastasis Tasou said he was instructed by Hayward not to put forward any “reasons or excuses”, including the builder threats claim, but said there was genuine remorse.
Hayward works as a pest controller earning up to £55,000 a year.
Judge Tahir Khan KC said he would give Hayward the chance to pay back what he stole.
He gave him 24 months’ jail, suspended for 24 months, ordered he complete 250 hours of unpaid work and gave him a compensation order to pay back £50,000 over the next two years.
It was ordered that Hayward surrender the two Rolex watches at the police station.