A Mid Sussex tennis coach stole a club member's credit cards and went on a £1,000 shopping spree.

David Ringer, 33, of Brook Close, East Grinstead, a junior coach at East Grinstead Tennis Club, yesterday pleaded guilty at Haywards Heath Magistrates Court to four charges of theft.

Richard Lynn, prosecuting, said Ringer took the cards from a bag in the players' lounge at the club before racking up a £1,271 bill in three stores.

He has since stopped working for the club.

Mr Lynn said father-of-two Ringer used the cards to buy goods including a DVD player, camcorder, telephone and designer sunglasses from the stores in East Grinstead on September 2.

Pamela Gasson, defending, said Ringer's actions were a cry for help and that he had suffered from depression and drink and drug problems in the past.

She said: "This was a one-off incident and he has shown remorse and made an apology during the police interview.

"He admitted he has in the past had problems with drugs and alcohol.

"More recently he has been suffering from depression and taking Prozac.

"He saw a psychiatrist after the event and he saw it as a cry for help."

Ringer had taken an overdose two days after his arrest.

He was sentenced to 100 hours' community service.

Magistrate Anne Hazel also ordered him to pay back the £1,271.