A BARMAN who has more than 20 convictions for fraud and theft stole more than £2,600 from his employer's safe to feed his gambling and alcohol addictions.

Liam Hickson, who worked at Hotel Bannatyne, in Darlington, run by millionaire businessman Duncan Banna-tyne, went into his workplace when off-duty and used keys kept behind the bar to open a locked office and break into the safe.

Bannatyne rose to fame as one of the businessmen on TV show Dragon's Den.

Yesterday, Hickson was warned his breach of trust was so serious that he could expect to be sent to prison.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard that 23-year-old Hickson - whose criminal record was described as appalling - used the £2,632 he stole to gamble and buy alcohol and meals in the hotel to comfort himself after an argument with his partner.

The court was also told that since 2000, Hickson, of Raby Street, Darlington, amassed ten convictions for fraud or similar offences, and 11 for theft or similar offences. He had also been to prison several times. Only the last offence involved Hotel Bannatyne.

David Maddison, prosecuting, said Hickson had been in the hotel on the afternoon of March 12 for a training course, but his employers thought he had left for the night at about 7.45pm.

He said: "It would appear he re-entered the hotel at about 11pm and used some keys from behind the bar to enter a locked office, and open a locked safe. He then stole money from there.

"He had been drinking heavily and said all he could recall was being in the office and the safe being open."

Graham Hunsley, in mitigation, said Hickson had a long-standing gambling problem, and relied heavily on alcohol.

He said: "From the look of his record, you can see there are fairly deep-seated problems.

"Most people who have been to jail as often as he has would have learned their lesson by now.

"It seems to be a combination of gambling addiction and perhaps drink that are his response to any problems in his life. In this instance, it was the relationship with his girlfriend."

Magistrates adjourned sentencing for reports on Hickson, who admitted a charge of theft. He will be sentenced at the court on May 16.

Magistrates' chairwoman Patricia Bacon told him: "Your record is quite appalling. Yet again you are thieving, and a very large amount.

"It is so serious, we will recommend custody."