A former church treasurer who stole more than £80,000 from three churches has been jailed.

Zita Ulu, of Park Avenue in Mitcham, worked as a treasurer at the Mitcham Methodist Church, Southfields Methodist Church and the Wandle Valley Methodist Circuit between 2007 to 2010.

During this time it emerged she had funnelled £81,305 into her account by withdrawing money using a cheque book from each church for which she was a signatory.

The 57-year-old was sentenced to three years and four months in prison at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, June 28, after pleading guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position.

Jerry Hawthorne, solicitor representing all three Methodist churches, said she had manipulated the three churches that had put their trust in her defrauding them to in excess of £80,000.

He said: "There were questions raised because the figures at Methodist HQ differed from those in the local bank statements.

"An experienced accountant was brought in and he uncovered quite a substantial amount of fraud."

Ulu's house is expected to be sold along with any assets in a bid to recover some of the stolen funds which will in time be returned to the church.

A spokesperson for the Methodist Church said: "She was suspended from all her duties with the Church when we became aware of concerns about the circuit’s finances in late 2010.

"We have cooperated fully with the police in the course of their investigations.

"We are deeply saddened by this abuse of trust and will be doing all we can to recover some of the financial losses incurred by the churches and circuit, which are in the region of £80,000.

"We ask that people respect the privacy of those affected by this matter during this difficult time."