A married couple accused of stealing over £12,000 from a social club appeared before court today.

Alyson Lock, 35, and Anthony Lock, 37, worked at the Hepworth and Grandage Social Club on North Hylton Road, Sunderland from November 2002.

Mr Lock was a steward in charge of finances and his wife Alyson was hired as his assistant.

Money started going missing in January 2004 and the extent was only realised when an external auditor came in and found large sums had disappeared.

The pair are charged with twelve counts of theft from 9 January 2004 to 15 May 2004.

On some occasions, a few hundred pounds went missing and in some weeks more than £2,994 was unaccounted for.

The couple from Rothbury Road, Sunderland, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court for the start of their trial.

Mr Lock was responsible for ensuring that money made from the club was banked.

Prosecuting, Tim Gittens, said: "On regular occasions, the defendants did not bank the full amount. They banked lesser amounts.

"For example, on the 17 April, £8,227 was logged in the stewards book but paying in only amounted to £5,227.20. That is 5p short of £3,000 less than should have gone in the bank."

When questioned by the police, although Mr Lock said he had not taken the money. Mr Gittens said Mr Lock had told police that: "he felt responsibility and was remortgaging his house to pay back the sum."

The couple plead not guilty to all charges and the trial continues.