A charity organiser kept more than £11,000 for himself instead of handing it over to deserving causes.

A court heard how collectors working for 54-year-old John Morris handed over £11,100 which he was supposed to give to a variety of charities.

Morris detailed the £11,100 in his accounts but only £325 reached organisations, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Charities which failed to get money included hospitals, primary schools and a baby care appeal.

Morris, of Great Notley Avenue, Braintree, admitted three charges of furnishing false information between December 1996 and September 1998 when he appeared in court for sentence.

He was jailed for six months - suspended for two years - and told to pay £1,200 compensation and £500 costs.

The court heard how the offences came to light when Basildon Hospital revealed it had not received any charity money it was expecting.

David Holborn, prosecuting, said Morris ran Helpline Funds based at Stebbing Green near Dunmow.

Between December 1996 and April 1997 he falsely declared donations amounting to £4,425 had been paid to charities when only £325 had been handed over.

Gareth Hughes, mitigating, said collectors working for Morris wanted more money and he agreed to pay. But after this, he found he could not maintain the level of donations and got into financial difficulties.

Recorder Christopher Chandler told Morris it had been a "significant breach of trust" but the judge said he took into consideration the "long and outstanding record of dedicated service to the community" Morris had.

He told officers he used the money to pay expenses and denied using it for a lavish lifestyle.

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