A SALESMAN who gambled away £100,000 in 25 years stole £1,000 from his work in the space of four days to fund his habit.

Lee Ferris, 43, took the cash from Dorcan-based Kerry Foods between December 19 and 23.

Ferris, of Clays Close, Upper Stratton, pleaded guilty to theft by an employee at Swindon Magistrates' Court.

The court, after hearing how he frittered the money away in a couple of days, fined him £250 and ordered him to pay £900 compensation.

Rhys Davies, prosecuting, told the court it was Ferris's job to collect payments from the company's customers.

But bosses became suspicious when they did not receive any receipts for December.

Mr Davies said: "He gambled it in a couple of days. He did have a gambling problem and he had been going to Gamblers' Anonymous for two years."

Ferris told his employers that he had gambled the money and was given seven days to repay it.

But when he was unable to come up with the cash the police were called in.

Mike Pulsford, defending, told the court that Ferris had managed with his addiction for 25 years without getting in to trouble.

He said it was after Ferris switched jobs from a lorry driver to a salesman, where he was handling large sums of money, that he was unable to resist the temptation.

The court was shown a character reference from Gamblers' Anonymous and a report from Social Services said that after wasting £100,000 he was determined to kick his habit.

Chairwoman of the bench Cate Earl told Ferris: "We have taken into account everything that has been said, from the really good efforts you have been making to sort out your gambling habit and the fact that you told your employer yourself.

"You are very lucky. The court takes breaches of trust extremely seriously but this is your first offence and you have made massive efforts."

Ferris, who is currently unemployed, was also ordered to pay £35 costs.

Two other charges dating from January, one of stealing £1,500 and another of taking £1,300, from the same company were withdrawn.

Gareth Bethell