THE former general manager of a Cotswold hotel has admitted frauds totalling more than £170,000 against his employers.

At Gloucester Crown Court today, Paul Thompson, who used to run the Lords of the Manor Hotel in Upper Slaughter, pleaded guilty to defrauding Empire Ventures Ltd of £157,428 between June 10, 2013 and May 12, 2016.

Thompson, 44, of Hampden Way, Wellsbourne, Warwickshire, also admitted obtaining £15,572 by fraud from Cotswold Finest Hotels by abusing his position as treasurer between May 2012 and May 2016.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC was told that Thompson, who has recently been 'very ill', had managed to pay back £55,000 so far.

The judge ordered a pre-sentence report on Thompson and adjourned the case until February 20.