Church organist facing jail for theft
A former organist pleaded guilty today to swindling nearly £150,000 (€221,000) from her church and the bank where she worked.
Muriel Stewart (aged 55), wept as a judge warned her she could be jailed for the thefts.
Stewart, a member of the Women’s Association at Dunloy Presbyterian Church in Co Antrim stole £96,685 (€142,000) belonging to its treasurer.
She also took £29,460 (€43,400) from clients of the First Trust Bank in Ballymoney where she was employed as a senior official. Another £19,440 (€29,000) was stolen from a William Barton, believed to be a member of her congregation.
It is understood that many of those who worshipped alongside the thief also banked at her branch.
The thefts were carried out between January 1998 and Christmas Day 2003.
Bespectacled and dressed in black jumper and trousers with a white blouse, Stewart entered her guilty plea from the dock at Antrim Crown Court.
Defence barrister Alan Kane confirmed that the sale of land near her home on Carrowdoon Road, Dunloy, which would pay off the money owed, was at an advanced stage.
Sentencing was adjourned until a consultant psychiatrist’s report was completed.
Although the judge, Piers Grant, allowed Stewart to be released on continuing bail of £500 (€736), he told her that this should not be interpreted as a signal that she would definitely be spared jail.
He said: “You have pleaded guilty to three very serious charges. A custodial sentence must be a consideration.”
