A FINANCIALLY-troubled landlord sold items he took from an Ulverston pub to help fund a new family home after his partner fell pregnant, a court heard.

Thomas Henderson, of Maple Street, Barrow, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of theft when he appeared at Furness Magistrates’ Court.

On Tuesday Henderson, 29, was sentenced to 200 hours unpaid work.

He admitted stealing a touchscreen till and printer worth £1,086, from The Grapes, in Market Street, along with a steel work top, a cooker, bar stools and drinks optics.

In mitigation Sean Harkin told the court that Henderson had ‘fallen upon hard times financially’.

“His partner fell pregnant and the accommodation at the pub was not fit to bring up a new family,” said Mr Harkin.

“He acted in desperation and clearly made the wrong decision so he could get a deposit to move into new rented accommodation.

“He regrets what he has done and has let his good name down.”

Henderson, who is now unemployed, took over the lease of The Grapes, which is owned by Thwaites, in February 2013.

The court was told that in October the area manager visited the pub to find it vacant with some items removed.

Lesley Duhig, prosecuting, said Henderson’s details were circulated on the police’s national computer but it was not until February this year that he was arrested.

Police searched his home and found the bar stools and optics, she added.

In interview he told police he had sold the cash register for £200.

Mr Harkin added that Henderson had ‘co-operated fully’ which helped police recover some of the items.

Henderson, who had no previous convictions, was also given an eight-week curfew to run from 7pm to 7am, told to pay £1,086 compensation and £85 court costs.

District Judge David Purcell said: “I give you credit that you helped police recover some of the items but I do think there was high degree of breach of trust.”