A Blackpool shop worker stole from his workplace to pay off a cannabis debt of several hundred pounds he owed to his dealer.



Jake Pickering-Cockell stole £750 from the safe at the Thorntons shop in Blackpool town centre and did not return to work.

Pickering-Cockell, aged 19, of Cheryl Drive, Thornton Cleveleys, pleaded guilty to theft.

He was sentenced to a 12 months community order with 100 hours of unpaid work for the community and ordered to pay £750 compensation with £85 costs by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said the defendant had worked at the Thorntons shop since earlier this year and became such a trusted employee he was given a key.

Between June 24 and 25 Pickering-Cockell took £750 from the shop safe and did not return to work.

Kathryn Jamieson-Sinclair, defending, said her client, who had no previous convictions, had gone to the police and confessed to what he had done.

Mrs Jamieson-Sinclair added:"He lost his job immediately and this conviction on his record will make it very difficult to secure a job at all or one in which he has any prospects of advancement.

"I'm told by the defendant he paid the drug debt and has not used cannabis since. It has been a salutary lesson for him"