A PUB manager stole more than £5,000 from his employers to feed his gambling habit, a court heard.

Adam Michael Holland, 23, was duty manager at the Hungry Horse Woollen Mill pub, at the new Feethams development in Darlington, when his gambling habit spiralled out of control.

His occasional Saturday football accumulator became a serious gambling problem which led to spiralling debt problems and rent arrears, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe heard.

Holland, of Westmoreland Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to theft from his employer on Thursday.

John Garside, prosecuting, said: “When the defendant was interviewed he made full and frank admissions saying he had stolen the money but spent it on general living and gambling.

“He has nothing to show for it. He was very emotional during the police interview.”

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said Holland had been a man of good character until this offence.

He said he had secured employment at the Woollen Mill, moving from Northamptonshire, in the hope it would improve his gambling problems, and he was in a position of responsibility,.

When he first took money from his employer his intention was to pay it back when he “had a big win,” Mr Andrews said, but it spiralled from there.

“Ultimately he is caught out,” he said. “This is a new enterprise, it is properly run and not before too long the auditors come in and the figures just don’t add up.”

CCTV showed who had access to the cash – and Holland was arrested.

The court heard he was now getting help for his gambling problem and that his girlfriend, who he met at work, but who had known nothing about the theft, was standing by him.

Magistrates referred the case to Teesside Crown Court for sentencing.