Essex footballer shamed on Twitter over gambling gets help
An Essex footballer whose fiancée named and shamed him on Twitter after he used her money to fund his gambling habit says he is now getting help.
Lacey Maclean had tweeted East Thurrock United player, Kris Newby, was a "liar" and a "thief" after he gambled with £12,000 of her money.
Mr Newby, from Stanford-le-Hope, said he had deserved Ms Maclean's strong reaction on the social networking site.
He said he was in the "early stages" of paying her back.
Mr Newby, who has since closed his Twitter account, said: "I completely understand Lacey venting her frustration.
"I've now got a source of getting help.
"All the people I've hurt, I want to give back what I've taken and put things right."
Gambling 'the solution'
The Ryman League player said he was keen to make up with his fiancée and wanted her back.
Speaking earlier on ITV's Daybreak, Mr Newby said his problem began in October.
He said: "Just about six months ago my work started to deteriorate and I've gambled in the past and that seemed to be the solution.
"With any money I had I thought if I was to gamble I could right the wrongs of not working and be able to provide the money that was deteriorating."
Mr Newby said urged others with a gambling habit to admit their problem.
"Tell the people around you, tell the people that love you, just come out and ask for the help," he said.
"They'll be grateful that you've come out and asked for the help, don't try and hide it away."
Adrian Scarf, of support charity Gamcare, said gambling was a common problem among sportsmen and women as, unlike other addictions such as drinking or drug taking, it does not affect them physically.