A casino worker stole over £20,000 in cash from his employer to fund a gambling addict.
Peter Barker, 46, from Salford, was working at the pawnbroker Cash Recycle in Eccles when he was pocketing customer's cash and processing it as card payments.
The dad-of-four stole 229 transactions of money behind the back of his boss who trust him to look after the shop when he was unable to.
He now works in a casino despite admitting that he stole the cash to fund a gambling addiction.
Manchester Crown Court heard how Barker had worked at the second-hand shop for a total of nine years.
He began stealing money in 2016 and took a total of £20,596 over a two year period before his employer realised.
John Stamper, who owns the Cash Recycle shop on Church Street in Eccles, said in a statement that he feels 'deeply saddened' about the thefts.
He said he did not think of Barker as just a colleague but also as a friend.
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Mr Stamper had told him about a previous employee who had stolen from him yet he 'chose to do it again'.
He added: "I employed him nine years ago and trusted him when I could not be in the shop at al times because of my health.
"I was angry and feel stupid that I trusted him. I now have to keep a closer eye on my business and be there more which affects my physically.
"I find it hard to trust members of staff now."
Prosecutor Hunter Gray told the court that his role involved cashing up the till in the evening.
Mr Gray said: "Customers were paying by card but Mr Barker was processing the transaction as a card payment and taking the money for himself."
Representing Barker, Neil Ronan said that his client had developed a gambling addiction after the death of his father.
He kept his struggles from his family and used the money he stole from his employer to fund his addictions.
"This was an unsophisticated crime. He was ultimately always going to get caught", Mr Ronan added.
"He is genuinely remorseful for his behaviour. He has four children and needs to provide for them."
Barker, who has one previous conviction for benefit fraud in 1993, now works in a casino but his lawyer said it was in the food and beverage department so is 'away from the gambling'.
He also added that he is looking for other jobs away from the environment.
It is thought that he got the new job between being arrested in February 2018 and being charged in January 2019.
Barker, of Rudman Drive, Salford, admitting theft by employee at the first opportunity in court.
Judge Suzanne Goddard sentenced him to eight months imprisonment.
She said: "You worked at the Cash Recycle Shop and knew that your employer had previously had another employee steal from him. He was not a well man.
"Over the course of two years there were 229 transactions. This was not the most sophisticated theft by an employee but this was a breach of trust and sustained behaviour.
"His attitude towards staff has changed because of your behaviour and you stealing the £20,000 has had a big impact on him. This did not just affect his business but also his health."
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