A MAN who stole three gothic-style chairs worth £900 was ordered to carry out community service by Bury magistrates. Polisher David Hilton, aged 61, of Worcester Road, Little Lever, admitted the theft from his employers, Foremost Furniture in Bradley Fold, and asked for two other offences involving two chairs and a sold ash wood table top belonging to the same company to be taken into consideration. Magistrates sentenced Hilton to a 200-hour community punishment order. He was also ordered to pay £43 court costs.

The court had previously heard that Foremost Furniture was a family business and Hilton had worked for the company for the past six years. He was in a position of trust because he was also a key holder.

Over an 18 month period the company noticed a considerable amount of stock go missing.

He was caught "red-handed" at his home with company property and was immediately suspended.

A man of previous good character, Hilton said: "I was foolish. I went off the rails. I didn't even have any plans for the chairs. In fact, I saw them outside the store and I thought they were no good. I'm very sorry and it won't happen again," he stated. Hilton said he was now on incapacity benefit.