A FORMER police officer was facing jail last night after he admitted stealing almost £10,000 from a charity for sick and terminally ill children.

The Dream Foundation was set up to bring joy into the lives of chronically ill youngsters in the region.

Stars such as soccer hero Alan Shearer and Auf Weidersehen Pet's Tim Healey gave their time to contribute to the charity's efforts.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday that retired police officer David Foley, 55, was using the charity's cash for his own means. He pleaded guilty to 15 counts of theft, totalling £9,800, between August 1999 and June 2000.

The court heard he used the children's cash to pay household bills and meet other personal expenses.

Foley, of Longwood Close, Sunniside, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, was warned he could be facing prison.

Judge Guy Whitburn said: "A theft from any charity by a trustee is a very serious matter indeed. I warn you that I view this matter extremely seriously. A custodial sentence will not be ruled out."

Foley, a former police constable based in Gateshead, was suspended from duty by Northumbria Police when the investigation was launched. He retired from the force in May last year after 30 years' service.

The court was told that conspiracy to defraud charges against Foley's wife, Elaine, 50, had been dropped.

Joseph Mulcahy, 56, and his fiancee Maureen Lewis, 50, of North Lodge, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, face charges of conspiracy to defraud the charity between January 1994 and December 2000.

The pair were arrested last year after a police investigation into allegations that about £300,000 had been siphoned from the foundation.

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

Foley was honoured for his work with the Foundation when he was given a Paul Harris Fellowship award by the Rotary Club