KWIK-FIT manager Jamie Martin stole tyres from the Trowbridge garage to put on his own car, and sell on, pocketing the cash.

Martin, 24, Highbury Park, Warminster, admitted two charges of theft when he appeared before Chippenham Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He also pleaded guilty to a further public order charge, and a charge of possession of cannabis resin.

He was given a 160 hour community punishment order, and ordered to pay £400 compensation to Kwik-Fit, as well as £100 costs.

Magistrates ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

Rhys Davies, prosecuting, said Kwik-Fit discovered tyres missing when an audit was carried out on April 9.

"As a result of this further enquiries were made and it turned out that the tyres had been stolen by the defendant," said Mr Davies.

Tyres worth £588 had gone missing on March 28, and tyres worth £180 had gone missing on April 3.

Roger Stanbury, defending, said Martin insulted Lee Allen because he was annoyed at how mechanics damaged specialist wheels on his car, when taking off the stolen tyres. He also said Martin was not a drug user.

"I should stress he is a young man of 24 who got up to the position of manager at a Kwik-Fit outlet," said Mr Stanbury. "He has suffered a lot, in being dismissed and now being employed in a menial manual job.

"He entered in to a climate of corruption and was tempted to carry on."