Sportsman victim of crooked solicitor

Former Sidley cricketer Ian Reynolds, 36, lost the money after being asked to join in a business venture with solicitor Myles Austin-Olsen.

Instead of going ahead with plans to buy a coffee shop in Brighton, Austin- Olsen used the money to pay off other debts.

He has been jailed for four years after stealing 184,000 from clients who believed they were making business investments. Mr Reynolds, a financial advisor, faced "severe hardship" after losing the money and had to sell his house.

Austin-Olsen, 54, who earned 50,000 a year, pocketed the money while working at the Gaby Hardwicke firm in Eastbourne - unknown to his employers.

Mr Reynolds told the Observer yesterday: "I have got some sort of comfort a so - called friend, well ex-friend, and solicitor, has got his comeuppance. He basically stole 40,000 from me but I'm not going to get my money back.

"The sentence was pleasing to a degree but then 20 years wouldn't have been enough in my opinion. He's got four years but he'll be out in two for good behaviour."

Mr Reynolds is now living with his parents while his partner and children have rented accommodation.

"That's the galling thing," he said. "Because it's had an emotional effect and we have at times had to fight tooth and nail for our relationship. It's difficult at times when I just stop for a cup of tea on the way back from work and then have got to go back and live with my parents. We are really just working as hard as we can to get back in to a position where we can rent or get a property but we have our stall set out for when we are 40 - we may have to wait that long."

Mr Reynolds has slowly managed to rebuild his career, returning to work as a financial advisor after having to leave his previous job.

He said: "I am sure you can appreciate when you advise people on their money you have to get your own house in order.

"I have done it for 19 years and I don't know any different. It was the only thing I could do to get back on track. "

Mr Reynolds is a popular figure at Sidley Cricket Club where he is non - playing member. His playing career was cut short when a car in crashed into a barbers shop in Buckhurst Place injuring him in 2003.