DOZENS of parents have been left without childcare after a kids’ club deputy manager stole stole thousands of pounds.

Alacia Bowker, from Radcliffe, was trusted to take money from a safe each week and pay rent to Rumworth High School in Bolton, where Ladybridge Kids Club was based.

But instead she pocketed £7,600 over several months to pay her own debts and club owner, Stella McCarthy, says that the loss, combined with the coronavirus crisis, means she has had to shut the business.

As Bowker, who is six months pregnant, was given a suspended prison sentence at Bolton Crown Court after admitting the theft, Mrs McCarthy said she was “heartbroken” at the betrayal of someone she regarded as a member of her family.

The club, set up by Mrs McCarthy nine years ago, catered for more than 100 children before and after school as well as running a holiday club.

Bolton Crown Court heard how 21-year-old Bowker had been taken on as an apprentice at the age of 15 by Mrs McCarthy and progressed to being a senior play worker.

David Farley, prosecuting, said that in March 2019 she was promoted to deputy manager.

“It was on December 16 that Mrs McCarthy received a recorded delivery from the school saying the last invoices had gone unpaid,” said Mr Farley.

Bowker, of Cross Lane, admitted she had taken the cash.

In a victim statement read out in court an emotional Mrs McCarthy told how she felt betrayed by Bowker, who sat in the dock with her head bowed.

“Over the years it was more like a mother and daughter relationship,” said Mrs McCarthy.

“I have been there for her for everything. It really feels like one of my own children has done this to me.

“This has not just impacted me and my family but the whole community.

"It has massively let down 96 families who rely on our club.

"I provided Bowker with every opportunity, promoting her and explaining that she would be the manager of the club one day.

"All of this has made me very ill. I am heartbroken, not angry. I can't comprehend this at all — after everything I have done for her, she has done this to me.

"My business has now closed after a great many years building it up from nothing.

"This isn't just down to Covid or the theft which she has left me financially broke from - it is also due to the fact that I haven't got the heart or passion to carry on any more."

Nicholas Ross, defending, stressed that Bowker, who now works for a vehicle recovery firm, is of previous good character but had fallen into debt and succumbed to temptation.

"Her lack of ability to manage her finances spiralled out of control," he said.

"A profound and harsh lesson has been learnt."

Probation reports classed Bowker as being of low risk of offending and Judge Graeme Smith sentenced her to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months as well as ordering her to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work plus 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

She must also pay £2,500 in compensation over the next two years.

"That is not full compensation for the damage you have caused but I can only order what you can afford to pay," Judge Smith told her.

He added: "Nobody who has listened to the statement read out by Stella McCarthy can fail to be moved by what she said.

"You were in a position very close to being a member of the family.

"No doubt, that is one of the reasons why she put so much trust in you.

"She is heartbroken but not angry, although she has every right to be angry because of the effect of what you did on the business she had built up.

"It is tragic that that business has no longer been able to continue.

"Clearly the closure of the club will have a long term disadvantage for the community which it served."