AN employee who stole thousands of pounds from an independent carpet store has been spared jail.

Adam Bates, from Hood Manor, took a total of £6,700 from Westbrook Carpets while working for the firm during a two-month period in April and May this year.

Warrington Magistrates Court heard on Thursday, November 25, that his actions were a ‘significant breach of trust involving a significant sum for a small company’.

But the 22-year-old was handed a suspended prison sentence as he was ‘considered capable of being rehabilitated’.

Bates, of Sycamore Lane, admitted theft by employee during an earlier hearing and was handed an 18-week imprisonment suspended for a year.

He must also pay £2,500 in compensation, to be paid at £40 per month, and received a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days from the magistrates panel.