A thieving chef began stealing money from a Jarrow pub on his first day on the job.
Carl McKeith was employed as a chef by The Greyhound Inn and began working on August 1 last year following a short trial period. But the 44-year-old repaid the pub by stealing cash from the till on the day he started before going on to steal money from fellow employees.
McKeith stole £200 from the pub's till before stealing £200 from a colleague's handbag after entering the pub manager's accommodation, which was within the premises. Despite being caught on CCTV, he initially denied the thefts.
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On Wednesday, McKeith, of Lord Nelson Street, South Shields, appeared at Newcastle's Moot Hall to be sentenced for three counts of theft and one count of attempted theft. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
The court heard McKeith was taken on as a chef by the licensee of the pub on August 1 last year following a trial period. Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said: "The defendant arrived for work and on that day staff counted the bar till, £190 was taken out and put in a plastic money bag and into a metal box which was put on top of the till.
"Later that day, the £190 was missing from the metal box. CCTV showed the defendant going to the till, looking around and fiddling with something before putting something in his pocket. It was clear that nobody else had gone near the till."
After viewing the CCTV, staff did not immediately approach McKeith about the theft, and on August 4, he entered the manager accommodation which is attached to the pub. Again, CCTV showed McKeith enter the living room area and "rummage" around a handbag before stealing £200.
On August 7, McKeith was again captured on CCTV "rummaging around the top of the till" before taking a set of keys. He attempted to gain access to the till but was unable to open it. Once again, he went to the manager accommodation and stole £60 from a handbag.
The court heard that McKeith, who had no previous convictions, was then arrested and denied responsibility - despite being caught on camera.
Shada Mellor, defending, said McKeith had pleaded guilty at an early opportunity and was going through financial difficulties at the time of the thefts. She said he has a number of health issues and was "very sorry for his actions".
Sentencing McKeith, Recorder Sellars handed him an 18 month community order and ordered him to undertake 20 rehabilitation days. He must also pay a total of £450 compensation.
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