A LORRY driver who turned off the alarm and security at offices where he worked so he could steal from inside has walked free from court.

Bruce Hudson turned up early at Expeditors/Inter-national Ltd on the Techno Trading Estate in Eldene, and used his key to steal a digital camera and laptop computer.

Lynne Henderson, prosecuting, told Swindon magistrates that the 42-year-old worked as a sub-contracted lorry driver at the company.

She said investigations started after the £2,000 computer went missing from the offices on November 9.

But when the CCTV tapes were examined it was found that there was time missing on the tapes. It had either been erased or the machine had been turned off.

Further inquiries found that on that day, although Hudson didn't sign on until 8am, he was spotted on camera footage in the depot at 6.40am.

The alarm system was also found to have been switched off for a period which could only be done by someone who knew the correct code.

He was arrested a week later and admitted stealing the laptop and a Kodak digital camera during the week before telling police he was going to sell the items because he was suffering financial hardship.

"He admitted he had gone into his place of work on two occasions using the alarm codes and keys," she said.

"He admitted tampering with the closed circuit television to avoid detection. The stolen camera and laptop were both recovered from his home."

At an earlier hearing Hudson, of William Street, admitted one count of theft between October 31 and November 7 and another on November 9.

The court was told that he had no previous convictions.

Stephen Weighell, defend-ing, said his client's outgoings were still slightly higher than his income.

Magistrates were told that case law showed that stealing from an employer should almost always be met with a prison sentence.

But they decided to order Hudson to do community service.

They ruled he must do 200 hours in the next year and pay £118 towards the costs of the prosecution, which should be paid at £20 a week.