Three individuals have been found guilty for their parts in a complex fraud, resulting in a four year jail sentence for one.

Colin Dobson, 51, of East Weare Road, Portland, Dorset, and David Eskriett, 29, of Greylands, Woking, were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court after pleading guilty to a fraud involving a historic music venue.

The fraud which occurred between 1st December 2008 and 16th January 2010 neared £170,000 in total value.

Mr Dobson and Mr Eskriett both worked at the Woking Liberal Club, famous for holding numerous gigs for 70’s band - The Jam.

As the Club Secretary and co-opted member of the Management Committee respectively, the pair were responsible for the club’s finances and any sale of the premises.

In 2008, members decided to sell the club’s premises due to rising debt and declining revenue.

However, the Dobson and Eskriett alongside a third member, Peter Charlton, 61, of Ashley Road, Woking, who also pleaded guilty to fraud, diverted money from the club for personal gain.

Alex Bray, Fraud and Financial Investigator from Surrey Police’s Economic Crime Unit, stated: “All three men had been trusted to do the best for the club with the funds from the sale of the premises to be split equally between the members once all the debts had been paid off.”

“Members finally realised what was going on after the men embarked on more lavish lifestyles and the matter was brought to our attention. Following a lengthy and complex investigation, which involved trawling through bank statements, we charged all three with fraud by abuse of position and they pleaded guilty to the offence on 19 January.”

The suspicious scenario was identified after the club’s committee examined accounts and discovered that funds had been diverted after the three men resigned from their positions.

“The sentence given to them reflects the severity of their offending, and sends a clear message that we will pursue all such allegations with diligence and determination."

It was also discovered that Mr Dobson had falsified minutes at the club’s meetings, which implied that the committee authorised his £20,000 salary.

Both Mr Dobson and Mr Eskriett convicted of fraud by abuse of position. Mr Dobson was sentenced to four years in jail and Mr Eskriett received a 15-month suspended sentence for two years, along with 250 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Charlton is to be sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on 4th March.