A DRIVER for a security company collecting cash in Redditch stole £8,000 after he fell out with his employers.

Gavin Ballard worked for Security Plus which had an elborate mechanism to stop thefts by people handling large sums of money on its way from tills to banks.

But Ballard noted the numbers of bags on his hand and memorised other details to carry out the scam, said Peter Parson, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court. He stole money as his firm collected from McDonalds restaurant and a number of Redditch shops.

Ballard, aged 22, of Trewint Close, Exhall, Coventry, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and was jailed for nine months.

He was given 21 days to list his assets before the prosecution make a decision whether to pursue him for the lost money.

The thefts occurred in March and April this year but his firm became suspicious and mounted an investigation.

After being arrested, he told police he did not like the way he was treated by the company and took the opportunity to steal, said Mr Parson.

He confessed he spent all the cash on "rubbish", most of it going on trips for himself. Some he gave away to charity collectors. The only items he kept was a play station and games which were seized.

Nicolas Cartwright, defending, said the crime had cost him his job and his girlfriend who was horrified by his behaviour and left him.

He added: "The motive was disaffection with his job. He festered before hitting on a way of getting back at his employers."