A BRIDGWATER mother stole more than £6,000 from the primary school parent-teacher group where she was a volunteer.

Michelle Pimm, 32, of Hughes Close was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, when she admitted the offence at Taunton Crown Court last Friday (June 26).

Parents and PTA members have spoken of their shock and disgust at the theft from the Eastover Primary School PTA , which has deprived children from their regular fetes, discos and events.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Mercury: “To steal from children is disgusting, especially seeing as her children were at the school.

“She abused her authority and didn’t care who she hurt. I am pleased with her punishment and I believe is very fair.”

The theft came to light back in October, at a meeting of the PTA when it emerged that the books weren’t adding up.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We noticed that the accounts between February 2014 and April 2014 weren’t adding up and Michelle said she would go to the bank to find out what was going on.

“But a few weeks later, another one of the parents went and found that a cheque for £4,000 had been taken out by Michelle, with forged signatures.

“Another £2,000 at least in cash was also missing.

“The police were called and we’ve been trying to deal with it since then, it’s been awful and we’ve had a lot of grief.

“It’s the children who have suffered and they’ve missed out on so much, we haven’t been able to hold out regular fetes or the Christmas events and the discos which they love.

“The only reason the Year 6’s got their breakfasts, which we usually provide is because of the generosity of Farm Foods, Asda and Sainsbury’s.

“It’s so cruel, I can’t imagine anyone doing such a thing, we were all shocked and disgusted and we’ve had no apology from her.

“We’re so grateful for the support of the headteacher and we’re hoping to relaunch the PTA with a fete on September 19.”

Ms Nicola Darby, headteacher at Eastover Primary School, added: “As a school, we are relieved that justice has prevailed and that the money stolen from our PTA will be repaid.

“We will move on from this as a school and a community.”

Pimm was charged with dishonestly making a false representation to make gain for self/another or cause loss to other/expose other to risk by theft.

She was given a six month jail sentence suspended for 18 months with a supervision requirement for six months.

She was also ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and to pay a victim surcharge of £80.

A proceeds of crime application hearing will take place later this year to recover the money which was stolen.