A pub manager, who stole almost £5,000 from his employee to fund his gambling addiction, has been spared jail.

Kirklees magistrates heard that Robert Evans had fallen into a ‘spiral’ of gambling and stealing while working as an assistant manager at the Head of Steam, St George’s Square between June 30 and July 5.

Over several occasions Evans had ‘borrowed’ increasing amounts of cash from the pub safe, gambling it in a bid to replace the growing debt.

Evans, 29, of Birkhouse Lane, Paddock, was arrested after admitting the thefts – totalling £4,871 – to his boss.

Kirklees Magistrates Court, Huddersfield.
Kirklees Magistrates Court, Huddersfield.

Prosecuting Alex Bozman said: “He had taken money out of the safe for his gambling problem and lost the money he had been taken.”

Mitigating Zara Begum said: “He has long-standing gambling addictions from his late teens.

“This was an issue that had a great hold of him.

“He took the money with a view to replacing it once he had won – but unfortunately he didn’t.

“He panicked trying to replace it and took more money and used it on a bigger bet.”

Ms Begum said: “He is deeply remorseful and ashamed of what he has done. He had tried to address his issues but it hadn’t worked.

“This is a man who has found himself at the bottom of a downward spiral.”

The Head of Steam, St George's Square, Huddersfield
The Head of Steam, St George's Square, Huddersfield

Ms Begum said that Evans, who had no previous convictions, had registered with support group Gamblers Anonymous.

She added that Evans had already agreed a repayment plan with his former employee.

Evans, who admitted theft by employee, was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and pay £180 costs plus a £60 victim surcharge.

Sentencing him bench chairman Barry Lockwood said: “We did consider custody at one point.

“This is going to be a direct alternative to a custodial sentence...

“If you break any of these requirements there’s a good chance you will go to custody.”