A ROWLEY Regis man who turned to gambling to try and replace the £4,000 he stole from his workplace has avoided jail.

James Short took the cash from the post office in Wolverhampton city centre and had tried to "cover up" the missing money by gambling.

Oliver Woolhouse, prosecuting, said Short had been working at the Lichfield Street branch for "some time" before the missing money was discovered.

When questioned, 24-year-old Short had said it had all been a mistake adding: "I took some to make it better."

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told that the money had been used for gambling, which had been unsuccessful.

Recorder Benjamin Nicholls said Short had been in a position with a "high degree of trust and responsibility" and had access to the safe and large amounts of cash.

The recorder told Short - a man of previous good character - it was clear he had taken a risk with his employer's money to try and recoup the missing cash.

The theft, he concluded, had a major impact on his employer, who had been forced to repay the money he had "swindled" out of his own pocket.

Short, of Midhill Drive, admitted theft and he was given a 10 month jail term suspended for 12 months, with a condition he attends rehabilitation to "deal with his gambling issues".

He must also carry out 100 hours unpaid work and pay £140 compensation - however the recorder stressed he could now face civil proceedings to get back all the money he took.