--Lifestyle coach admits in court, gets suspended jail sentence

A lifestyle coach Claire Duke has admitted she duped Super Eagles striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie of about £22,000 between April and August 2012 and has promised to pay back.

Duke appeared before a judge at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday and admitted to defrauding the Nigerian who was playing for West Brom at the moment and six other clients out of more than £80,000.

She was however shown mercy by the judge after pledging to pay back tens of thousands of pounds to her unintended victims.

The 38-year-old, whose business offered concierge services and organised holidays and trips abroad, pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud, including one relating to Odemwingie who now plays for Stoke City.

Passing sentence, Recorder David Mason QC accepted that Duke's business had encountered difficulties and had not been set up or designed as a fraud from the outset.

Duke, of London Colney, Hertfordshire, sobbed in the dock as the judge told her: "You appear to be someone who on the face of it is terrified of the court's powers, and accepting that what you have done was appalling.

"You have pleaded guilty to seven matters of fraud involving professional, hard-working people wanting to spend money on holidays and treats."

All the victims of the offences would no doubt be shocked and appalled that their money had been "shifted in different directions" by Duke, leading to an outstanding loss of around £64,000, the judge said.

Recorder Mason told Duke: "Some of these people may have been wealthy, but that doesn't make any difference. It's their money."

Duke, who was given a two-year custodial sentence suspended for two years, told reporters as she left the court that she was deeply sorry for the stress and upset she had caused.

"I would just like to pass on my sincere apologies to everyone," she said.