Policeman stole from charity

David Foley was a police officer for 30 years

A retired police officer has admitted stealing thousands of pounds from a children's charity he helped to found.

David Foley, 55, pleaded guilty to 15 charges of theft at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday.

He admitted stealing a total of nearly £9,800 between August 1999 and June 2000 from the Dream Foundation

Foley, of Longwood Close, Gateshead, was a founder member of the charity which was set up to make dying children's wishes come true.

Judge Guy Whitburn warned Foley his crime was so serious he could face a custodial sentence.

Television stars

He said: "The method he adopted was to divert money from the Dream Foundation of which he was a trustee to fund his own household expenses."

"The theft of any charity's money by the trustee of a charitable foundation is a very serious matter.

"I view these matters as extremely serious and a custodial sentence will not be ruled out."

The Newcastle-based Dream Foundation was set up in 1994 and raised money for sick and terminally ill children.

It helped youngsters travel abroad or meet their heroes and was backed by a number of television celebrities.

Foley, an ex-police constable, was suspended from duty by Northumbria Police when the investigation began.

Conspiracy charges

He retired from the force in May last year after 30 years service.

Foley appeared in the dock alongside his wife Elaine, 50. Both had charges of conspiracy to defraud against them dropped.

Sentencing was adjourned until the conclusion of a separate trial against two other trustees of the charity.

Joseph Mulcahy, 56, and his fiancée, Maureen Lewis, 50, face charges of conspiring to defraud the charity between January 1994 and December 2000.

The couple, from North Lodge, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, were arrested last year.

Their trial was adjourned for six weeks and they were granted bail.