An Age Concern chief who stole more than £200,000 from the charity has been spared jail because he is terminally ill.

Keith Austin is receiving palliative care only for cancer, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

The 65-year-old widower, who grew up in Gravesend but now lives in Tovil Green, Maidstone, was excused attendance for the sentencing earlier this month.

He had in March last year admitted defrauding the organisation in Norman Road, West Malling, while chief officer between March 30, 2009 and September 7, 2011.

His plea was entered just weeks after his wife died from cancer.

The prosecution put the amount salted away by Austin at £217,553, while he claimed it was about £63,000.

"This is without question a serious and quite disgraceful offence" - Judge Charles Macdonald QC

Prosecutor Kyrakos Agryopoulos said Austin held the position for nine years, running the business side of the charity.

When it encountered financial difficulties he waived his salary of up to £24,000.

But after he left, it was discovered finances had been mismanaged, with £137,000 owing in tax and National Insurance.

It triggered further investigations, which found he had transferred cash into his accounts.

Tom Stern, defending, said Austin had signed over assets in respect of property and old cars to make good the losses.

He said Austin helped to develop the centre over the years.

“It is all overshadowed on one view,” he said. “Nevertheless, it is plain this man did invest a great deal of time, effort and determination over the years for wholly positive purposes.”

Austin had previously held credible and impressive positions in the public sector.

They included Bexley Area Health Authority and University College in London as general manager before becoming head of Age Concern in Malling in 2002.

Suspending two years imprisonment for a year, Judge Charles Macdonald QC said it was high culpability fraud.

He added: “This is without question a serious and quite disgraceful offence.”