THE former boss of a North East charity is due to be sentenced for committing fraud this morning.

On the day of his expected trial, Graham Leggatt Chidgey pleaded guilty to a single charge at Teesside Crown Court last month.

Last year, Mr Leggatt-Chidgey, from near Barnard Castle, County Durham, was sacked by the Butterwick Hospice after concern was raised about his misuse of a corporate credit card.

The 62-year-old was told by Judge Sean Morris that he was prepared to adjourn sentence to enable him to sort out his affairs but warned him that there was the prospect of a custodial sentence.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place over almost eight years between 2009 and March last year.