A SALES assistant who stole £22,712 from his employers to fund "the high life" has been jailed for two years.

Scott Twaddle, 24, admitted six counts of theft between January 21, 2002 and June 11, 2003, asking Bournemouth Crown Court to take into account 99 other similar offences.

Prosecuting, Robert Hill recalled how Twaddle had been working at the Drainage Center in Barrack Road, Christchurch when he created fictional credit notes and put the money into his own credit card account.

"In June last year staff at the shop discovered what had been going on," said Mr Hill.

"Mr Twaddle had become a little greedy, stealing £1,587 worth of items on one day. That shortfall was noticed and, when he was confronted by the store manager, he confessed."

Twaddle, of Lymington Road, Highcliffe, was dismissed from his post on November 26 last year.

Following his arrest, he told police he had spent the money on gambling, recreational drugs and "spoiling" his girlfriend, said Mr Hill.

Defending, Chris Pain said Twaddle felt "real remorse for what he had done.

"It was spiralling and a relief for him to stop offending.

"He had a substantial gambling addiction and frequently used ecstasy."

Sentencing Twaddle, Recorder Stephen Lennard told him: "You engaged in a seriously planned, deliberate and sophisticated scheme to steal from your employers.

"You did so with false documents and by creating false credits which you put onto your own credit card to supplement a lifestyle which your income did not warrant.

"You spent money on the high life; clubbing, drugs and presents for your girlfriend.

"These offences are so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified.

"You have brought huge shame on your family and caused your mother to lose her job because she was working for the same employer."

First published: April 26