A FORMER Knutsford dad has been jailed for 40 months after stealing £25,000 that the public had raised to pay for surgery for his two-year-old daughter.

Father-of-seven, Simon Boam, pictured right, who used to live in High Legh, had set up the charity appeal in 2010 so his daughter, who suffers from Peters Plus Syndrome and is blind in one eye, could have treatment in America.

But Chester Crown Court heard that over the past five years, the 50-year old had spent the money on three cars and his alcohol addiction – paying up to £200 a day on vodka.

At the sentencing hearing on July 10, the court was told that it was during a routine visit from a council employee in February of this year that Boam admitted to stealing the money.

He said: “It was me, I have squandered the money, I feel really bad about it.”

Police were called and Boam was arrested and interviewed.

He was charged with one count of theft which he pleaded guilty to in court.

In a statement to the court, businesswoman, Elizabeth Davies said she was a joint signatory on the account when it was initially set up. She said Boam requested £900 so that he could replace the engine on his car to take his daughter to medical appointments.

The money was released but despite asking for a receipt, it was never provided.

She said Boam asked for money again but she told him she needed receipts first.

“She said he was persistent so she withdrew herself as joint signatory holder, leaving him in sole control of the account.

The court heard how most of the donations came from the public after they learned Boam’s daughter had lost the sight in her right eye when it became infected after surgery and that her left eye was also failing because of her condition. Her parents wanted to take her to America for treatment.

Donations included £5,000 from High Legh Primary School, £4,200 from an Irish-themed evening, £3,000 from Knutsford Round Table and £1,200 from an auction by the TV studio behind The Bill.

Boam pleaded guilty to one count of theft at a previous hearing.

Mr Zelazowski, defending, told the court Boam, who had previously experienced alcohol problems, had been ‘dry’ for 10 years but when his latest relationship began to break down, he turned to drink again.

He said Boam was grateful for the donations and support given by the public and he was acutely ashamed of his actions in having squandered the money.

Judge Nicholas Woodward said he gave credit to the fact Boam had made a full admission but said: “It is difficult to imagine a more serious breach of trust.

“Not only for your daughter but your other children and the many members of the public who will have felt bitterly let down by what you have done.

"It is difficult to imagine frankly how any parent could do what you have done.

“Money had been raised through a charity which had been formed in order to raise significant funds to pay for an operation which would it is thought have preserved the sight of your daughter.

“Hard work and public generosity had resulted in almost all of the funds required being raised.

"You stole that money and you squandered it.”