A FORMER employee of a jewellery shop has admitted stealing from his boss.

Timothy Light, a father-of-three who worked for Southerns in Orpington High Street, was caught with his coat pocket stuffed with £263 worth of jewellery on April 19.

Managing director Johnathan Wooller said: "It's very disappointing, after 52 years' trading, that something like this should happen."

Bromley magistrates heard how Light, of no fixed abode, worked at Southerns for just 10 days in a position of trust, ordering and monitoring stock.

It was only when operations director David May was tipped off that the 21-year-old was caught red handed.

Mr May checked Light's pocket and found it stuffed with jewellery, including two Slazenger watches worth more than £63 each.

He said: "We discovered the missing stock late in the day. In all our years of trading this is the first time this has happened.

"It just doesn't kick in sometimes. You feel someone is trustworthy and honest."

Police stopped Light as he left work that day. He confessed the property belonged to his boss.

Defence solicitor Stuart Cole said: "This offence was opportunistic, unsophisticated and stupid. My client was under extreme financial pressure and succumbed to temptation.

"He has seven GCSEs, which is something I find I cannot often say on behalf of defendants, and was looking at a successful army career on two occasions before his girlfriend became pregnant.

"Now he is looking to buy a house and start a new life with his wife and third child."

Light was ordered to do 100 hours community service and 18 months probation. He was ordered to pay £30 costs.

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