IT was thousands of pounds that should have been donated to help make the lives of sick children better.

Instead Karolin Jones pocketed up to £5,000 that was raised at events she organised in the name of Southampton Hospital Charity.

Today she was described as having “gotten off lightly” after being ordered to pay back a fraction of the money she stole.

Jones was told to repay £300 of the sum in compensation to the charity and was also spared jail when sentenced for fraud and theft at Southampton Crown Court yesterday.

As previously reported the 29-year-old staged two family fun days at Lloyd Recreation Ground in Marchwood and the Vine pub in Ower claiming it was to help sick youngsters, one of which had a fundraising target of £50,000 alone.

During a week-long trial, the court heard the mum-of-three was inspired to organise a fundraiser after one of her children were taken ill and was cared for by the hospital.

Instead of donating the money raised by hundreds of residents at the event the 29-year-old decided to pocket the cash herself, the jury were told.

It was never revealed exactly how much money Jones collected.

During her trial she claimed she had given all the cash raised to the charity but admitted not keeping proper records of the transactions. However, the jury found her guilty.

The charity claimed they only received a £9 donation through an online giving site and money from a collection tin at a pub.

During her sentence at Southampton Crown Court, Judge Gary Burrell was told how Jones was a single parent caring for two children with severe mental disabilities and was dependent on state benefit.

In mitigation Jamie Gammon told the court that despite being found guilty of the offence she still maintained her innocence.

Jones was given two 18-month sentences in prison, suspended for two years, to run concurrently as well as a 12-month community order to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Burrell said: “What you did in depriving Southampton General Hospital Charity of significant sums of money, which was going to help children, was utterly despicable and mean.

“You used charity money for yourself. You took money that was destined for children who were sick.This was a severe breach of trust. The evidence against you was overwhelming and still you maintain your innocence.

“Initially my view was to send you to prison and hope the children would be looked after but it seems to me that I would be punishing the children – I would be punishing them for your dishonest actions and that is something I could not live with.”

Speaking after the sentence, Marchwood District Councillor Sue Bennison said: “Somebody who takes money from the public and keeps it themselves are leaving themselves open to getting their just deserts.

“I thought it was absolutely deplorable. Clearly this lady has no conscience. The fact it never occurred to her that she was doing something that was completely wrong.

“I think the public will probably think she has got off lightly and I think they will be disappointed.”

Councillor Fred White, Marchwood Parish Council’s chairman, added: “The judge obviously felt it was the only sensible figure that could be recovered”

Jones left court without comment, with her face covered by a scarf.