A PENSIONER who stole hundreds of pounds from Betchworth Park Golf Club members has been handed a suspended jail term.
Peter Flowers, 71, was found guilty after a trial at Redhill Magistrates' Court of stealing £300 from the shower and changing rooms at the members-only club.
At his sentencing on Friday, the court heard Flowers, of Western Road, Newhaven, went to the club on November 9, 2013, intending to steal. Prosecuting, Darren Matravers said: "He was not a member so he wouldn't have ordinarily had access to the changing area.
"He was hanging around waiting for the door to be opened and went in following a genuine member. Once inside he took £100 from one wallet and £200 from another."
Flowers' vehicle activated Surrey Police's automatic number plate recognition camera half a mile from the club. He was also seen on CCTV images near the changing rooms.
The court also heard Flowers was convicted in October 2013 of stealing from changing rooms at a golf club in Liverpool. He had also targeted a club in Epsom and stole golf equipment from West Surrey Golf Club in Godalming.
Defending, Martyn Williams said: "The consequence of this particular offence has put him in a precarious position.
"He lives in sheltered accommodation, which he could lose if he went to jail.
"His mother lives in Seaford; she's 101. He goes to see her on a regular basis. He has an 11-year-old son in Liverpool.
"He has a commitment to a family."
Mr Williams added Flowers' previous convictions date back a number of years and there were "significant breaks between those offences".
He added that Flowers was employed throughout his life as a golf professional and worked for IBM organising golf days.
Mr Williams said: "He found himself in financial difficulties and fell back on old practices.
"There was a deficit in his thinking skills. He does genuinely regret his actions."
Chairman of the bench Rosemary Westcott sentenced him to three months in jail, suspended for a year. He must also pay £300 compensation, £620 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
