The former director of a high-profile charity which raises funds for the treatment of muscle disease ALS has been jailed for nine months for embezzling €170,000.

Judges in Haarlem ruled Eric Nolet, 62, had made 30 transfers from the charity bank account to his private account in 2013.

He repaid a large part of the money after he was caught but much of that came from another charity – Vrienden van de Rudolf Steiner Kliniek – where he was treasurer, the court was told.

Nolet told the court during the hearing two weeks ago that he had been so busy with the charity he had neglected his own finances and ended up in debt.

The public prosecution department had demanded a one year jail term. Judges cut this by three months because Nolet had shown extreme remorse, the Telegraaf said.