A SUSPENDED jail sentence has been handed to a Carlisle man who stole tools and equipment worth almost £14,000 from his employer.

Kyle Robinson, 28, who was spending money on cocaine at the time of his offending, committed the offence between August 31 and September 14, taking the items from EFM Fleet Services where he was working, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

He pleaded guilty to theft.

The court heard that the defendant, of Hallin Crescent, Carlisle, admitted taking tools which belonged to the firm and were worth £13,774.

Defence lawyer Andrew Gurney set out the background, which included the death of the defendant’s infant son in 2018. The defendant, who is a part-time carer for his father, also broke up with his long-term partner.

Having previously been an occasional user of cocaine, Robinson’s use of the drug spiralled, said Mr Gurney. He stole the tools to sell so he could pay for the cocaine he was using, said the lawyer.

Judge Michael Fanning told the defendant that employers must be able to trust their workers, otherwise society would collapse.

He said the defendant would be given an eight-month jail term, but pointed out that in the current climate, prisons had to be reserved for the worst offences and the worst offenders, and repeat offenders who refused to stop stealing.

“Therefore, I am going to suspend that eight months sentence for 18 months because you need to address your reasons for offending,” said the judge.

Robinson could not continue to behave as he had, said the judge.

The judge urged the defendant to address his mental health issues  and to use his skills to benefit society. He pointed out that the starting sentence for any person who flouts his suspended sentence order is an activation of the custodial term.

The sentence will include 150 hours of unpaid work and a six-month drug treatment programme. “You have to stop taking cocaine,” said the judge.

In addition, the sentence incudes up to 10 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.

The judge added: “This is your one chance because otherwise you will be in this cycle of going to prison every time and you will never get a worthwhile job. You have said this will be harder than going to prison; it probably will.

"It’s in your hands now.”