A taxi driver who pocketed hundreds of pounds from his employer's takings has escaped a prison sentence.

John Wolf came up with various stories after stealing the money over the period of a weekend in January, a court heard.

Kate Brown, prosecuting, said the 25-year-old worked for taxi driver Malcolm Coomber.

She said "On January 10 the defendant informed Mr Coomber that £70 of his takings had been taken from him as a result of a blackmail incident in Corsham.

"Mr Coomber reported it to the police and the defendant said he would repay the money.

"The following day again the arrangement was for the takings to be given to Mr Coomber.

"Wolf got some money with a cheque which he said had been given to him by a customer."

Miss Brown said the same thing happened two days later and Wolf was finally questioned by police.

She said: "He denied he had been given cheques on either occasion."

She said there was evidence from a customer of the taxi firm who said that Wolf had admitted stealing the money relating to the blackmail allegation.

At the time of the offences he was on a conditional discharge imposed by magistrates in October for deception.

Wolf, formerly of Bradford Road, Corsham, but now of Partis College, Bath, pleaded guilty to the thefts totalling £205.60.

Wolf was sentenced to 140 hours community service and ordered to pay the compensation and £150 towards costs.