IT started six years ago as a dream but ended in tears. Today, the man "obsessed," with saving his beloved football club - and who took other people's cash to do it - began a two-and-a-half year jail term.

"Devastated" John Carlton Howarth, once a respected member of the community and chairman of the now-defunct Bank Hall Football Club, fought back tears as a court heard how his life was now in tatters and he wanted to put the "long nightmare," behind him. Howarth, in his 50th year and who acknowledged he had caused those out of pocket "much grief and heartache," was now bankrupt, on medication, depressed and in misery, his counsel told Burnley Crown Court.

Judge Raymond Bennett told Howarth, who stole up to £163,000 from investors - one lost £20,000 - who thought it was safe with an assurance company, those who had suffered would not think justice was being done if Howarth was not punished. The judge, who had turned down an appeal from Howarth's barrister for a suspended sentence because of "exceptional circumstances," said it was always sad to see somebody of previously unblemished character in the dock and it gave him no pleasure whatsoever to inflict punishment.

Judge Bennett said he was satisfied he turned to crime because of his "obsession."

He went on: "You were in a position of trust and used that to persuade people to give you money. They thought they would be getting a return and they got nothing."

Howarth, of Todmorden Road, Burnley, had earlier been found guilty of business when not authorised under the Financial Services Act. He had denied 20 charges of theft.

The court heard Howarth, then an appointed rep of Irish Life, spent the money on running Bank Hall. A number of people re-mortgaged their homes. Howarth previously worked at a Burnley building society and then in a financial partnership before seting up Bank Hall Financial Services. Roger Farley, QC, defending, said Howarth's obsession to turn Bank Hall into a leading local sports centre so clouded his judgment he used other people's money recklessly. Howarth put everything he had in the Bank Hall scheme and was now bankrupt.

Far from being motivated by greed or personal gain, Howarth believed he could make the club successful and make profit for his clients.

When the scheme collapsed, Howarth was deeply depressed. His prospects of ever working in the financial industry again was nil.

The judge was given references describing Howarth as a good and caring person, a generous man who had devoted his life to others. His mother had died whilst he was in custody and that had made his incarceration much harder to bear.

Mr Farley asked: "There is no risk of his re-offending. A prison sentence would no doubt assuage the feelings of disappointment of the investors, but do nothing. The defendant's earnest desire is to work to repay all he owes."

He added: "Here is a decent man who let his enthusiasm get the better of his judgement. The sooner he can put this long nightmare behind him the better."

After sentence was announced, Mr Ian Jagger, one investor who lost cash at Howarth's hands said simply: "The law has taken its course."

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