A MAN admitted stealing thousands of pounds-worth of goods from a luxury bed shop in Bridport.

Terence Euling, aged 30, admitted the charge of theft and was sentenced to a community order when he appeared at Dorchester Crown Court.

Prosecutor Desmond Duffy told the court how Euling was employed by a company that was contracted to work at the shop And So To Bed.

He said the manager at And So To Bed noticed that some duvet boxes had been moved around the warehouse and had been found empty.

Mr Duffy said: “A stock check was conducted and it was concluded some bedding items had been stolen. Further enquiries established three sets of brass letters that would have been used as shop signage had been removed.

“Mr Euling was approached about this and he accepted that he had stolen the brass items and taken one duvet. He expressed remorse and he said he used the money to pay off some debts and had given the duvet to a former girlfriend.”

Mr Duffy said the stolen goods amounted to more than £7,500.

Robert Pawson, mitigating for Euling who lives in Emerson Road in Poole, said: “He made admissions even before the police became involved and he attended the police station voluntarily.

“The reason he had stolen the brass in particular was because he was so hugely in debt and he had used the money to repay that debt.

“He was also in a long-term relationship with someone he was close to and keen on.

“There was stress on the relationship in large part because she was losing interest in him and he was in debt.

“He had hit rock bottom. He lost that girlfriend and he started drinking.”

Mr Pawson added: “He has expressed very genuine regret.”

Judge Roger Jarvis sentenced Euling to a community order including a supervision requirement and an order to attend a Thinking Skills programme for 12 months.