Irina Cotton at last year's UKBFF championships (picture by Eric Guy)

by Harry Low and Keith Hunt

A champion bodybuilder has told of her shame after being convicted of stealing from her lover to buy protein supplements.

Irina Cotton, of Cooper Close, Greenhithe, met forensic scientist Jonathan Clark in a bar and was later hired as his personal fitness trainer.

The 51-year-old former Ukrainian gymnast moved into a flat at his home and then started a relationship with him while training for last year's UK Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation British Championships, which she went on to win.

But the affair ended abruptly and the mother-of-two used Mr Clark's debit card details without his permission to order hundreds of pounds of health protein supplements, a court heard.

Cotton, who trained at the David Lloyd gym, in Darenth Road, Dartford, until recently, denied fraud, but was convicted by a jury.

A judge imposed a conditional discharge after hearing she was injured and unable to carry out unpaid work.

Speaking exclusively to the Dartford Messenger, Cotton said: "I don't agree with the decision the jury made.

"I was so concerned about my result for the British finals as it's a very, very big commitment and I was dedicated to this.

"I could not afford to make any mistakes in my competition.

"I'm a very open and honest person. I believe from the bottom of my heart that I had permission to buy the supplements.

"I never waste a second in the gym and I give 110% because I want to get results.

"I'm ashamed of what's happened because people think I'm a bad person, but I truly believe I was allowed to buy the supplements."

Cotton, who has a 27-year-old son and daughter aged 22, moved to Greenhithe just a month before the UKBFF championships in October last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Cotton, who has won a string of awards and accolades for her impressive physique, met Mr Clark in 2009.

"We discussed my fitness and a change of lifestyle," he told the jury. "I was intent on becoming fitter and losing some weight.

"She'd lost her job and we discussed her being my personal trainer. I was still living with my partner.

"The terms were she moved into a flat and instead of paying rent she would provide a number of hours training per week."

They started a "closer relationship" after she moved into the house in summer last year and he bought her a year's membership at a gym.

Mr Clark said he gave Cotton his Santander debit card details to order some supplements for him.

But after the relationship ended, he noticed unauthorised amounts totalling more than £400.