The stolen cash was not used to live the high life. Klein, who was then aged 53, had lived modestly alongside his wife.

But instead it fuelled a habit that saw him spend £100,000 dealing in highly covetable types of postage stamps known as first day covers.

Following his jail term, it is believed he returned to his home village of Ridlington, near North Walsham.

Derek Klein (Image: Supplied)

The money stolen by Klein had been raised by the parish through various events, such as fetes, and monies from supporters and organisations, including grants and covenants.

He took £57,000 from Bacton parochial church council between 1984 and 2007, and £13,000 from Ridlington parochial church council between 1993 and 2007.

Bacton Church (Image: Newsquest) Ridlington church (Image: Roger Budden) Klein managed to hide his theft for years through a complicated web of lies.

But police finally caught up with him when the Reverend Dr Richard Hines, the former priest in charge of the churches, became suspicious.

Klein attempted to cover up his actions by claiming the money was in a high interest account in Jersey, but there was no evidence of any such account.

It was also heard that he........

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