A church treasurer who gambled away £32,000 of the funds tried twice to give himself up to the police and confess - but was sent away, a court heard today.

On both occasions when David Peach-Miles went to Gloucester Police station to hand himself in he was told to leave his details and an officer would contact him, his solicitor claimed.

Dad of three Peach-Miles, 37, of Hills View, Newent, Glos, admitted defrauding Ruardean Parochial Church Council in the Forest of Dean of £32,120 March 2015 and February this year. He was jailed for sixteen months.

The court heard that the Rector of St John the Baptist Church, Ruardean, and his conregration had been devastated when they realised the money had all gone on online betting.

After the hearing the Rector, Rev Nick Bromfield, said "The taking of more than £32,000 has affected all aspects of church life and has greatly shocked and saddened the congregation and the wider community.

"The money taken was generously given by local families over many decades, in legacies and faithful weekly giving. Many people have been left feeling betrayed and devastated by what has happened.

"I feel heartbroken that a person we trusted and welcomed into the church family, has abused this trust and responsibility, in this way. Breaking the news of this loss was one of the hardest things I have had to do. It will take us years to recover our financial position.

"I will continue to pray for David as we put this awful episode behind us and start to look forward, so we can all begin a new chapter."

Prosecutor Katy Flint said Peach-Miles, who had ambitions to become a priest, took over as treasurer in March last year. He was not a signatory of the church's cheque books but he had full access to its current and savings accounts on line.

He started plundering the funds within weeks of becoming treasurer - withdrawing £2,000 on 13th April 2015. He described the withdrawals as being for loan payments or flowers.

"There were numerous withdrawals over a 10 months period," said the prosecutor. "The payments all went into an account held in the name of his wife.

"The deficit in the church accounts was only discovered when a number of payments did not clear due to insufficient funds.

"The previous treasurer was called in to make enquiries in February this year. Mr Peach-Miles was confronted by the Rector and immediately admitted he had taken the money and it was to fund a gambling habit.

"He was interviewed by the police and said it was too easy as no-one was checking up on him and he thought he would be able to win all the money back.

"He said after the first couple of times he took money he then got a thrill from doing so."

Rev Bromfield, in a victim impact statement read to the court, said the £31,000 was the balance of more than £242,000 raised by the church and congregation to fund major restoration of the 905 year old building.

The 'gigantic' restoration scheme had just been concluded and the balance would have gone towards another £120,000 which is needed for further work, he stated.

"The loss of this money has affected the financial viability of the church," he added.

Joe Maloney, defending, asked the court to defer sentence on Peach-Miles for six months so that he and his wife's parents, who are willing to help, can raise £20,000 in part repayment of what he had stolen.

He said that if the court allowed the deferment and the money was raised he would ask for a suspended jail sentence on Peach-Miles so that he work and repay the balance within two years.

Both Peach-Miles, his wife and two of their children have health problems and he family would be devastated if he were jailed, Mr Maloney said.

He told the court that Peach-Miles had tried on 15th Feb - before the thefts were discovered - to give himself up to the police.

"He went to Gloucester police station because it had all got out of hand and was getting too much for him. He was beside himself with worry.

"He knew he had done something extremely foolish and he tried to hand himself in.

"His details were taken and he was advised someone would get in touch with him.

"On 22nd February my client took an overdose and was admitted to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

"On 24th February the Rev Bromfield went to his house and confronted him. He admitted his guilt and expressed contrition.

"He then went again to the police station so he might hand himself in and get the matter resolved. Once again his details were taken and he was told someone would be in touch.

"One can reasonably ask what do you have to do to get arrested?"

When Judge Michael Cullum asked if Peach-Miles knew he had a gambling problem before he took on the treasurer's post Mr Maloney conceded he did have one when he was a student and had lost £6-7,000.

Jailing Peach-Miles, the judge said "When you took that job you knew you had previously had a gambling addiction. Knowing that, you should never have taken the job.

"Your fall from grace is significant. You were an active member of that community and you were training to be a minister yourself. It is unsurprising that elements of the community find it difficult to forgive."