Russian gymnast stole from government security adviser to buy protein shakes

A former Russian gymnast stole from her ex-lover, a government security adviser, to buy bodybuilding protein shakes, a court heard. Irina Cotton, 51, moved to the UK after the collapse of the USSR and became a bodybuilding champion, winning titles including "Super Body" and the "Musclemania" competition. She was hired as the personal trainer of Jonathan Clark, a businessman whose firm advises the British government and Scotland Yard on the use of mobile phone data to stop terrorist attacks, after they met in a bar. Mr Clark then moved her into a section of his home in Dartford, Kent, where she provided fitness training in lieu of paying rent. Shortly afterwards, the businessman left his partner and Miss Cotton, a mother of two, became his lover.



Mr Clark, whose firm Forensic Telecommunications Services also works for HM Revenue and Customs, gave the bodybuilder his credit card details so she could purchase protein-rich drinks to boost his weight-loss regime. The relationship broke down after only a month but Maidstone Crown Court was told that she continued to fund her body-building diet with his card as she trained for a national competition. The businessman later noticed more than £400 missing from his account and the matter was reported to the police. Mr Clarke told the court about how the pair met: "She told me about her job and that she was a professional bodybuilder.

"We discussed my fitness and a change of lifestyle - I was intent on becoming fitter and losing some weight. She had 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 [at my home] and instead of paying rent she would provide a number of hours training per week." He admitted that they started a "closer relationship" after she moved into his flat last summer and that he bought her a year's membership at the David Lloyd gym in Dartford. Dickon Reid, mitigating, said Miss Cotton, was "living hand-to-mouth" because of an injury which prevented her from working as a personal trainer.



Miss Cotton, of Greenhithe, Kent, denied fraud but was convicted by a jury before Judge Michael Carroll gave her a conditional discharge. Speaking outside court, she disputed her conviction. She said: "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. I'm a very open and honest person. I do 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 per cent because I want to get results. I am ashamed of what has happened because people think I am a bad person, but I truly believe I was allowed to buy the supplements."