A MANAGER who stole £3,500 from his bosses has kept his liberty, but was deprived of something he values nearly as much.

Burnley Crown Court heard that James Firman prized his sporty Citroen Saxo VTR, so a judge banned him from driving it.

Judge Stuart Baker told the defendant, who pays £190 a month on hire purchase for the vehicle - but offered £10 a week in compensation - he would not accept £10 a week for the next seven years.

The judge, who suggested Firman could sell the car, said he did not want to pass a vindictive punishment, but a very real and alternative punishment to prison.

He said people who behaved as the defendant had normally went to jail, but Firman had pleaded guilty, now had another job and had no previous convictions.

Judge Baker, who said Firman had let his former bosses down and breached their trust, told the defendant: "I want to impose a punishment that you will regard as real and effective. I don't want you to go away from here thinking you have had a slap on your wrists."

Firman, whose parents have remortgaged their home in a bid to pay back victims Power Promotions Ltd of Barnoldswick, had earlier admitted theft over six months.

The defendant, of Halifax Road, Briercliffe, was given 100 hours community punishment and banned from driving for four months. He had been committed for sentence by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates. Firman was ordered to pay £3,500 compensation within three months and £560 costs.

Philip Holden, defending, said Firman had got a new job at the Hare and Hounds, Briercliffe, and was very well regarded by his employer.

The defendant was remorseful and contrite. At the beginning of last December he had gone to confront his former boss and had apologised.

Mr Holden said Firman would reimburse his parents. Firman's father had also made a £500 donation to a children's ward at Burnley General Hospital, because the defendant's former boss's child had been poorly.