A CAR windscreen fitter who tried to poison three of his work colleagues by putting rat pellets in a kettle after a wrangle with bosses over his contract has escaped a jail sentence.

Christopher Allen, of Nook Fields, Harwood, admitted three counts of administering poison with intent to injure two men and a woman at Autoglass Windscreens, in Manchester Road, Burnden.

He was sentenced to 100 hours community service and put on probation for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £250 costs.

The married 38-year-old was seen "fiddling around" with the kettle last May before employees Andrew Stones, Nigel Gill and Julie Collins made cups of coffee, Bolton Crown Court was told yesterday.

As they drank, the court heard, all three noticed a "strange taste" then saw the remains of the blue-coloured pellets, which had not fully dissolved, in the bottom of their cups.

Miss Maisie Burke, prosecuting, said Allen then admitted putting the pellets in the kettle to his bosses and the police were called before he was dismissed.

Det Sgt Ian Paterson, of Bolton CID, said Mr Gill suffered stomach pains and severe diarrhoea but Allen's two other victims were unhurt.

He added: "This was a very dangerous and reckless act.

"Rat poison contains a blood thinning agent and if any of them had been on medication it could have had serious consequences."

Miss Burke said Allen -- who had worked at the company for more than 15 years -- accepted putting "three grains" into the kettle.

The court heard the defendant had become angry after Autoglass announced changes to their wage structure.

Workers were given a compulsory lower rate of pay based on performance with added bonus payments, Miss Burke said.

But the court heard that Allen did not accept the changes and refused to sign a contract.

She added: "He was given two months notice and told that if he did not adopt it he would be struck off.

"He felt that other colleagues were not pulling their weight and that he was being victimised and said he intended to leave the company."

The court heard the poisoning incident then occurred.

Miss Burke added: "He said he did the act due to his dissatisfaction with the company. He said that he deserved to be paid properly for his attendance.

"It was also a bit of a joke on his colleagues."

Graham Robinson, defending, said: "This offence is out of character. He was labouring under a depressive illness at the time. He clearly believed that he had a justifiable grievance but was not operating normally."

His Honour Judge William Morris said the case "had an alarming ring to it".

But he added: "Little harm could have been caused. There is nothing to suggest that it was anything other than to give them a bit of discomfort."

Autoglass were unavailable for comment. Allen refused to comment outside court yesterday.