A WIMBLEDON chef who served up gourmet meals to celebrity tennis fans was caught stealing merchandise from the Championships.
Scott Judson, 36, was arrested after bosses put up hidden cameras to find out why stock was missing.
He had spent the tournament cooking for high-end clients at one of the most exclusive Centre Court restaurants, providing fine dining to wealthy tennis fans.
Pictures posted on Judson’s Instagram from his three years working at SW19 show him with Stormzy, Gregg Wallace and chef Michel Roux Jr.
Cops also found cocaine on Mr Judson when he was arrested on July 14 — the day Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic to win the men’s singles final.
All £849-worth of stolen merchandise was recovered and handed back to the All England Club.
Judson, of Rainworth, Notts, appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court yesterday and pleaded guilty to theft and possession of a Class A drug.
Prosecutor Malachy Pakenham said: “The defendant was employed by Wimbledon, the All England Lawn Tennis Club, as a chef when the tournament was taking place in July.
“Staff became suspicious that stock was disappearing from the stock room in the basement and spoke to security.”
Two covert cameras were placed in the room and footage taken on July 12 showed Judson rifling through boxes of gear.
Items had been marked so bosses could identify them later as stolen from that room.
The chef was found to have stolen a “whole array” of branded merchandise including two towels, purple hoodies, caps, shopping bags, Range Rover cooler bags, polo shirts and water bottles.
He is believed to have been one of a number of employees who stole from the stockroom.
Mr Pakenham added: “He said he was sorry. He said the Class A drugs were for his own personal use to get him through long shifts.”
Judson’s lawyer said: “He had been working very long and stressful hours in a kitchen.
“There was a belief, or an environment, where other kitchen staff and other employees at the venue were going into that room and going into those boxes.”
Judd was given a 12-month community order, with 40 hours of unpaid work, and a fine and fees totalling £399.
