The cricket author Vijay Kumar has been jailed for ten months after being convicted of stealing cricket memorabilia worth thousands of pounds. Kumar, whose book "Cricket Lovely Cricket" was published last year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the West Indies' first victory in England, was sentenced to concurrent terms of nine months and one month at Middlesex Crown Court after being found guilty on two counts of theft.

Kumar, 41, who counts several prominent West Indies players among his personal friends, had denied stealing a quantity of cricket memorabilia from the booksellers JW McKenzie of Epsom, and the theft of more cricket items from a friend, Dr. Khadim Baloch, at his home in Essex in 1999. The memorabilia included a number of Wisden cricket almanacks, and autographs of famous players going back to the 19th century.

Vijay Priyadarsan Kumar, who was a Vice President of The Deutsche Bank in America, gave his address as Highland Avenue, Jamaica, New York. He was born in Guyana and has followed cricket since boyhood, paying particular attention to the fortunes of the West Indies team. His book "Cricket Lovely Cricket" included a foreword by Sir Clyde Walcott and appreciations by Brian Lara and Courtney Walsh. The former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding gave Kumar a character reference during the trial.

Dr. Khadim Baloch befriended Kumar during visits to cricket grounds, and invited him to stay at his home in Colchester when Kumar asked for help with his book. Although Dr Baloch did not miss anything after Kumar's first visit, he noticed after the second that items had gone missing. They included wartime Wisdens, autograph folders, signed photographs of players and books; a collection Dr. Baloch had taken many years to build up. Most of it is now lost.

"I am sorry that he had to go to prison," said Dr. Baloch. "Hopefully he will learn his lesson and not exploit people who show him kindness. The experience has left me feeling completely empty; it is a lifetime's effort that has vanished."

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