A former judo association boss stole more than £6,000 when he pocketed cash he was supposed to pay into a bank account.

Leslie Nicholass, 71, used the money in a bid to pay off a second mortgage on his Colchester home but a court heard how the thefts came to light when a new treasurer took over at the association.

He was arrested and Chelmsford Crown Court was told on Friday he made a full confession to police .

Nicholass, the former general secretary of the British Amateur Judo Association from Worthington Way, Colchester, admitted three charges of theft, one of false accounting and asked for another 11 similar matters to be considered when he appeared in court for sentence.

Judge Dan Worsley jailed him for eight months - suspended for 18 months - and he also told Nicholass to pay the association the £6,620. 54p he stole from them plus £190 court costs.

The judge told Nicholass: "This was a gross breach of trust. You became general secretary in January 1997 and within two weeks, you committed the first theft.

"You are 71 and you are in utter disgrace. You have lost all respect from the community in which you live and the respect of the amateur judo association," the judge added.

The court heard the thefts took place between February 1997 and March last year but they came to light after a new treasurer took over at the association.

Peter Lownds, mitigating, said Nicholass was deeply ashamed over what he had done. He got into financial difficulties and was "robbing Peter to pay Paul."

Nicholass had been connected with the association for 20 years in various roles, Mr Lownds said.

Both Nicholass and his wife are suffering ill-health and were planning to move to retirement accommodation. He was willing to pay the association back the money he stole after he sells his house, Mr Lownds added.

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