A CAR park supervisor fled to Spain five years ago after stealing £47,000 from work, a court heard.

David Such told his family that he had won the cash in a casino and wanted to start a new life.

After eight months his wife learned the truth and took their five children back to Burnley, magistrates in Manchester heard.

Such, 37, of Constable Avenue, Burnley, quickly followed and remained at large for nearly four years before his arrest last Wednesday.

He admitted the theft of the money belonging to National Car Parks and was sent to the city’s crown court for sentence on November 6.

Prosecutor Eileen Rogers said Such had been employed in Manchester when he stole the cash in December 2003.

He went round to all the car parks in the area in his van and “cleaned out” all the machines.

Afterwards he disappeared and police found his home abandoned, the court was told.

No money had been recovered and Jared McNally, defending, claimed Such had been mentally unwell.

During his work in the city he had seen nine people jump to their deaths from the top of NCP car parks “He found the situation extremely traumatic and the theft of the cash was a moment of madness,” said Mr McNally.

After returning home he hadn’t tried to hide his identity and continued living as normal, it was said. He was remanded in custody.