howard , 66 , from canterbury , kent , had been a member of the overseas press and media association for 30 years but began stealing funds two years ago .
his fraud was only uncovered after the association had problems paying its creditors and howard started to dodge emails and phone calls .
he was jailed for two and a half years and mouthed ` i 'm sorry ' to a former colleague as he left the dock at canterbury crown court .