A charity trustee who spent money that was intended for terminally ill children has been ordered to pay back £84,000.

Maureen Lewis, 50, helped partner Joseph Mulcahy, 56, steal thousands of pounds from the Dream Foundation, set up to fulfill the wishes of sick children.

Mulcahy, with former police officer David Foley, 55, set up the charity in 1994.

Stars such as Newcastle football hero Alan Shearer and Auf Wiedersehen Pet's Tim Healy gave their time to contribute to the charity's efforts.

But a Northumbria Police investigation revealed irregularites in the cash flow and Lewis, Mulcahy and Foley were arrested.

Foley, of Longwood Close, Sunniside, County Durham, who had an exemplary record in the police force, admitted stealing a total of £9,800, between August 1999 and June 22, 2000. He was jailed for 12 months.

Mulcahy and Lewis, formerly of North Lodge, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, denied any wrongdoing, but were convicted by a jury of conspiracy to defraud.

Mulcahy was jailed for five years and Lewis for 21 months.

Lewis, who has since completed her prison sentence, came before Newcastle Crown Court yesterday where Judge Guy Whitburn ordered her to pay £84,000 back to the charity.

She will be liable for a six- month prison sentence in default of the payment but that will only be activated if she "wilfully refuses to pay".

Judge Whitburn said at yesterday's hearing he was satisfied Lewis was an "accomplice to her close friend and constant companion, Mr Mulcahy."