A chief executive who stole more than £105,000 from the youth charity he headed has been jailed for three years.

Anthony Pippen, 48, stole the money from Sussex Clubs for Young People between 2005 and 2009.

He forged signatures of cheques.

At Hove Crown Court on Tuesday Pippen, of Haven Road, Newhaven, was jailed.

Sussex Clubs for Young People is based in Fishersgate Meet-In Place, Laylands Road, Portslade, and Pippen took up the post of chief executive in 2005.

Ian Scott whose signature was forged on the cheques said he had no idea his colleague “would do anything like that”.

He added: “He used to spend money rather more quickly than it seemed to be coming in, but he was the one being paid to do that job so I never really questioned it.

“It is unbelievable that someone would steal from a charity meant to help those who are less fortunate.

“For someone to work for a charity and then do that seems even more incredible.”

Pippen’s wrongdoings were discovered following an investigation by the Major Fraud Unit of Sussex Police.

Detective Constable Dave Foster said; "Our enquiries showed that over four years Pippen had used his trusted position to systematically authorise cheques and forge signatures to siphon off the organisation's funds for his own benefit."

“We will now be preparing a case to seek a court confiscation order against him under the Proceeds of Crime Act."

A Sussex Clubs for Young People spokesman added: "The board informed the police as soon as these allegations came to light and have been working closely with Sussex Police on this matter ever since."