A cash-in-transit security driver stole some of the money he was supposed to be guarding, a court heard today.

On five occasions Ricky Evans - a former soldier - helped himself to cash from the bags he was transporting and eventually his dishonesty came to light.

When he was quizzed about £405 missing from money he had collected from a Mr Pretzels outlet in Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port, on January 18, he openly admitted stealing on four other occasions.

The 32-year-old father-of-two pleaded guilty to five theft charges involving a total of £3,598 but after hearing that it has all been repaid and he has a law-abiding past a judge imposed a suspended prison sentence.

“I have no idea what possessed you to steal from your employer.

"It was a course of conduct and you must ask yourself how it came about that a man of your background and character should let yourself fall prey to the temptation with theft of this magnitude,” said Recorder Anthony Long.

“You have served your country honourably, you have lived a law-abiding and productive life and you’ve done everything to put matters right.”

He sentenced Evans, of Thornton Road, Ellesmere Port, to nine months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £750 prosecution costs.

Chris Hopkins, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that Evans had been employed by G4S as a driver for three years collecting cash from businesses and banks.

He was interviewed by his bosses in March after the £405 discrepancy came to light and he denied responsibility but then asked to speak to his manager confidentially and admitted it and told him about four others between December 7 and February 17.

These involved varying amounts collected from NatWest branches in Wallasey and Ellesmere Port.

Brian Treadwell, defending, said the offences were “a source of shame and regret” for Evans, who had produced many testimonials.

He is now working for a groundwork firm as a labourer and coaches children at a rugby club.

At the time of the offences his partner had lost her father and was pregnant and suffering from depression.

He would struggle in prison because of the impact on his family, he added.