A WORKER has admitted stealing more than £10,000 worth of property at the Heinz factory in Wigan where he worked.

Kenneth Harrison, aged 50, of Church Road, Smithills, Bolton, had worked for the firm for 31 years and following promotion was allowed to order a limited amount of stock without authorisation.

But unknown to management, Harrison, stole items including tools and computer equipment and sold them on eBay, said Simon Killeen, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court.

Heinz began to investigate after being tipped off and it alerted police who arrested Harrison on January 31.

Harrison admitted what he had been doing and, when interviewed, he said he was deeply in debt with credit card bills and he was concerned about meeting his son's student fees.

He pleaded guilty to stealing £10,120 worth of property between January 1 and November 24 last year.

Alan Wilson, defending, said: "Sadly, he abused his position of trust. He has lost his job and good character".

Harrison was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work.