A leading Manchester barrister faces a lengthy prison sentence after pleading guilty to stealing £81,500 from his own chambers.

David Friesner, 46, of Bury New Road, Prestwich, admitted the charges at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

Mr Friesner, an expert in fraud and money-laundering, took money from 9 St John Street Chambers, Manchester, where he was deputy head of chambersm, between October 1 2008 and November 25 2009.

He denied a further count of stealing £13,453.75 from the Crown Prosecution Service but Simon Kealey, prosecuting, said these pleas were acceptable.

The judge, Mr Justice Singh, gave Friesner unconditional bail and told him he would be sentenced on February 10, warning him that he faced lengthy jail time.