A MAN stole £13,000-worth of toys from his workplace in just three months to sell on eBay.

Samuel Binnington, of Benbow Gardens in Southampton, pilfered Lego, computer games, action figures and more from the Poole branch of Toys R Us while he was employed at the branch.

He then took to the internet to sell the new toys on, spending the money he made on the cost of living.

The 21-year-old admitted theft by employee at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court in early April.

And although he could have faced a jail term for taking the high-value items, judges took the “unusual step” of sentencing him to a community order.

Presiding magistrate Caroline Foster said: “We have thought very carefully about this.

“There are various reasons for the decision.

“We believe that we see a lot of people coming through the courts each day.

“We believe you are genuinely remorseful.

“We are impressed by the family support you have in court here today.

“You have co-operated with the police.

“You have also made generous attempts to repay Toys R Us.”

The court heard that Binnington, who carried out the thefts between November 1, 2013 and February 26 of this year at the Nuffield Industrial Estate toy store, has no previous convictions.

He has already paid back around half of the amount taken, and will start a new job in the coming weeks.

Mrs Foster, who commended Binnington for having employment, “at a time when it’s very difficult for young people”, said she didn’t want to impose any sentence that would prevent him from “moving on with the rest of your life”.

However, she added: “I do believe this is a very serious matter.

“It is an absolute breach of trust.”

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, and ordered to pay £145 in costs.