Shamed Skipton accountant Chris Baker, pictured, has been ordered to complete a 180 hours community punishment order after admitting swindling £45,180 from the town's golf club coffers.

Leeds Crown Court heard that Baker, 60, of Peel Terrace, Lothersdale, had made "amateurish" attempts to cover up his deceit between October 2000 and February 2002, and had managed to pay back all the money before his arrest.

Judge Ian Dobkin said he had come to court fully intending to jail Baker, but had been persuaded otherwise.

"Your shame in coming here and being exposed as the dishonest person you were for those months should be enough to deter others from committing offences of this kind," he said. Judge Dobkin said although everything about the breach of trust case pointed to a custodial sentence of 18 months to two years, Baker was not going to re-offend. Before sentencing him the Judge took into account Baker's age, family problems, his previously blameless life and the fact that the money had been returned.

Prior to the offences Baker, partner in accountancy firm Shepherd Baker, had been a respected member of the Skipton business community and the town's golf club. He had had complete control of club's finances, was its finance director for almost 30 years and was club captain in 1981.

Prosecuting, John Edwards said Baker's personal finances were "very, very much in the red" and he owed £150,000 to a client and £120,000 on an overdraft. He has also lost thousands of pounds through failed investments. Mr Ed-wards said that between 2000 and 2002 Baker had paid cheques from the golf club's account to Shepherd Baker and to himself then forged documents, using a photocopier, to alter bank statements to cover his tracks. He then borrowed money from "wealthy and friendly" clients to pay back the money he owed to the club.

Baker pleaded guilty to theft of £45,180 and six counts of forgery.

His downfall came when towards the end of 2001 the club noticed irregularities in the club's accounts and the fact that they did not balance with Shepherd Baker's records. Independent auditors carried out an investigation and police searched the offices and Baker's home in July 2002.

Baker told police he had taken money from the club's account, invested it with a broker and paid it back with interest. He insisted he had not done anything wrong but accepted his actions were not standard practice. Baker refused to name the broker.

Andrew Dallas, defending, said Baker had been a "pillar of the community" for many years and contributed much to the town and the golf club.

"He gave an enormous amount of time, unpaid to the golf club.

"His standing in the community, his job, it has all gone. That would be a huge punishment in itself even before your honour lifts his pen."

Baker must also pay £900 costs.