A gambling addict who stole thousands of pounds from his bosses has landed a new job at a casino.
Daniel Harrington took more than £10,000 from a safe at Dine Contract Catering where he worked for three years.
The 24-year-old was working as the chef-manager of the Warrington -based company when he began suffering from mental health problems and a gambling addiction.
Harrington's duties included cashing up proceeds from the cafe and providing financial reports to his employers.
The Manchester Evening News reported that Harrington was 'highly regarded' and 'well spoken of' at the firm but cash that was due to be collected started going missing.
A court heard that Harrington gave a number of excuses, saying he had forgot to send some cash for collection, and that he had cancelled one cash collection to reduce costs.
Company bosses then asked Harrington for the key to a safe so they could get another cut but he told them he had forgotten it before giving them out that didn't fit.
When the employers took the safe to a locksmith all that was left inside was £120 in coins.
Asked why the safe was 'empty', Harrington said: "I don't know. My head is up my a***."
He was suspended and the police were called in.
In court Harrington pleaded guilty to one count of theft by employee before magistrates, admitting stealing a total of £10,787.
In a message to his former employers, Harrington, who defended himself in court, said: "I can only apologise for what I put them through and for letting them down.
"Obviously I was highly regarded and worked very hard there, but I spiralled a long way.
"I am not trying to justify anything I have done whatsoever. At the time I was under a great deal of stress."
Harrington said he had a 'horrible gambling addiction' and suffered from mental health problems.
He now combines jobs as a chef and a role as a team leader at a casino in the evenings, the court was told.
After Judge Suzanne Goddard QC said a casino could be a "very dangerous environment" for him, Harrington said: "I have not once had any negative thoughts about it, and it has helped me a lot."
Harrington, of Victoria Street, Lees, said he has limited his gambling to £10 a week, and is working towards cutting it out altogether.
Harrington was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
He was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
