WHEN a camcorder went missing at a Pilsworth warehouse, the thief turned out to be the man supposed to be protecting the premises, a court was told.

Jason Paul Jowitt, aged 21, of Rushmere Drive, Bury, was ordered to carry out 150 hours' community service by Rochdale magistrates after he admitted stealing the camcorder worth £350 belonging to Index at Pilsworth, Heywood. Jowitt was also ordered to pay £87 court costs.

He could have gone to prison because the case had been previously adjourned for pre-sentence reports with all options including jail being taken into consideration. The magistrates took into account the fact it was his first offence and he had shown remorse.

Miss Roiseen Keogh, prosecuting, said the offence was aggravated by the fact that not only was it a breach of trust, but also by someone employed in a position of security.

Jowitt had a responsibility to check the premises internally and externally and the fencing to check there were no intruders.

However, a routine check in the early hours was carried out and Jowitt, with two other males, was questioned. Later the kitchen area was searched and a bag recovered containing the camcorder. All three men under investigation denied the bag was theirs.

However, a video from a closed circuit TV monitor was used in an attempt to find to whom the bag belonged. Jowitt then admitted it was his. He said he had come across the camcorder in a skip outside, but acknowledged it was still the property of Littlewoods (Index) and he had no right to take possession of it.

He told the Bench: "At the time I did not realise it was so serious. I wasn't really trying to hide it. I regret it all and it's all turned out badly for me."