Pub's boss took £11,000

Burnley Crown Court heard how depressed Paul Widdup, 35, then general manager at the Fence Gate Inn, Fence, had first taken £1,000 and frittered it all away at a Bolton casino. He then returned to the premises, helped himself to the remaining £10,457- some of it staff wages- and hid it in the linen cupboard.

Widdup, who was working long hours and was stressed with his humdrum life, was rumbled after police were called and found no sign of forced entry to the office. The defendant seemed nervous and was unable to make eye contact with officers. He then came clean.

Widdup was spared jail after a judge described his case as exceptional and said its features were unusual, bizarre and odd.

Widdup, of Appleby Drive, Fence, admitted theft.He was given 240 hours community punishment and must pay £1,000 compensation.

Jeremy Grout-Smith, prosecuting, told the court police found two safes in the pub's general office had been opened. They spoke to staff and Widdup, who had been on duty the weekend the cash went missing, and became suspicious.

Widdup conceded he had locked the premises up in the early hours and had been the last person to use the safe. He then admitted he had stolen money, went gambling and showed officers where he hid the rest. The defendant told police he had had drinks with other staff until 2am and when others left he had decided to go the casino.

Mr Grout-Smith said Widdup claimed his intention was to leave the area and set himself up elsewhere. He told police his life was rubbish, he needed money for medical treatment and had asked his boss for a loan.

Tim Ashmole, defending, said Widdup had worked at the Fence Gate for a number of years and was trusted. The offence was seemingly spontaneous rather than something that took place over a long duration. It was a stupid one-off act of lunacy which would live with the defendant and his family for the rest of his life.