An Angus tyre fitter stole his employer’s cash box to fuel his addiction to the roulette wheel.
John Main, of St Johns Place in Montrose, admitted the offence which took place on November 22 2013 at McConnechy’s Tyre Service Cente in Waldron Road, Montrose.
The 37-year-old said the theft of £240 was because of a gambling addiction.
Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy told Forfar Sheriff Court: “The accused was an employee at the time of the incident.
“In the weeks prior it seems he had been having money problems and had been asking other members of staff for loans.
“On November 22 2013 the premises had been locked by the manager for the evening.
“At around 5.45pm another employee attended the locus to collect tyres for a job.
“It was at that stage he noticed the accused’s vehicle and that the rear door of the premises was open with no lights on.
“The accused was found within the premises rolling a tyre. He then left the premises.
“At 7.30am the following morning the accused put a note through the door of the premises which stated he wasn’t coming back.
“The complainer then searched the premises and it was noticed that the cash box had been pulled out from under the counter.”
The cash box contained £240.50.
Blood was also found at the scene and later swabbed.
A review of video footage showed Main entering the premises and removing the cash box.
Ms Kennedy added that when Main was interviewed by police he made a “full and frank” admission.
“He said the money had been spent on gambling. He said he had a gambling addiction to roulette machines.”
Main had only recently been released from a 16-month sentence imposed in relation to another matter.
Defence agent Billy Rennie said: “The horror of gambling took hold of him.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio sentenced Main to 80 hours of unpaid work to be completed within six months as an alternative to custody. He also imposed an 18-month supervision order.