Crossword Genius

Malice admitted by gymnast in Essex (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nastiness

'malice' is the definition.
(nastiness is a kind of malice)

'admitted by gymnast in essex' is the wordplay.
'admitted by' indicates a hidden word.
'NASTINESS' is hidden in the letters of 'gymnast in essex'.

(Other definitions for nastiness that I've seen before include "repugnance" , "Pollution" , "ill humour" , "Malevolence" , "hostility" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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