A FORMER armed robber got a job as a security guard and on his first night shift at an electrical store helped steal £17,600 worth of goods, a court heard.

Clifford Nicholson was employed by an agency which placed him with Dixons electrical stores in Bury as a night security guard.

But on his first night at the store, Nicholson arranged to open the rear doors to meet an accomplice who stole £17,000 of goods, including computer games and a camcorder.

And later when he should have attended court, it was discovered Nicholson had flown to a Greek island on his honeymoon.

The theft took place on July 23, 1997 and, even though a warrant had been issued for his arrest, he was not caught until earlier this year.

Nicholson, who had failed to turn up for court on previous occasions, was sentenced to nine months in prison.

Nicholson, aged 40, of Atherton Street, Eccles, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence for theft.

Judge Martin Steiger said, even though the offence happened five years ago, it had been a gross breach of trust and the only sentence was one of custody.

His accomplice, Terence Knowles, was sentenced to a Community Punishment Order of 140 hours at the time of the offence.

At 1am on his first night, Nicholson opened the rear doors of the store to let in two accomplices, one of whom was driving Nicholson's wife's car.

A CCTV system recorded the lights being turned on in the store and showed activity from two vehicles. Nicholson had 22 previous offences, including a 10-year sentence for armed robbery and several charges of driving while disqualified.