A MAN who stole more than £15,000 from his employers after the breakdown of his marriage has been spared a prison sentence.

Scott King, of Folly Lane in Wareham, pilfered cash from Wareham-based kitchen fitters Howdens Joinery Ltd over the course of around 18 months.

In total, he pocketed £15,119.87 from the company in a bid to ease his financial burdens.

On Friday, the 44-year-old appeared before a judge at Bournemouth Crown Court to be sentenced after admitting a single count of theft by employee.

Stuart Ellacott, prosecuting, said King, a depot manager, had been employed by the company since 2008.

The defendant was arrested after auditors raised questions about company refunds. It was found that one refund had taken place on December 29, when the depot was shut for the Christmas break.

Money from the refunds, which should have gone back to the company, was being put into King's accounts on a monthly basis.

During one month, he had made three payments into his account.

In mitigation, it was heard that King's marriage had broken down and he had moved in with a new partner, which put him under financial pressure.

King's parents have stepped forward to help him repay the company the full amount to Howdens.

Sentencing the defendant to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, Judge Peter Johnson said: "You left the matrimonial home and started a new household."

The extra financial burden "caused [King's] moral compass to lose its direction," the judge said.

The defendant was ordered to pay £200 in costs, as well as returning the full amount stolen.