A chef who cooked for high-profile guests at Wimbledon was caught stealing a “whole array” of merchandise.

Bosses set up hidden cameras when stock started to go missing from the All England Club.

Scott Judson was then arrested on July 14 – the day of the men’s singles final, when Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic.

Judson, 36, spent three years working at Wimbledon. Throughout the fortnight of The Championships, he cooked for celebrities and wealthy spectators in an exclusive Centre Court restaurant.

Police found cocaine on the chef when he was arrested on finals day. The full £849-worth of stolen merchandise was also recovered and returned to the All England Club.

Judson appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on Thursday 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 hidden cameras were placed in the room. Footage taken on July 12 – two days before his arrest – showed the chef going through boxes of merch.

The gear was marked to be identified as being stolen from that room. Judson was found to have stolen branded items including two towels, purple hoodies, caps, shopping bags, Range Rover cooler bags, polo shirts and water bottles.

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.”

Judson was given a 12-month community order, with 40 hours of unpaid work, and a fine and fees totalling £399.