A MAN who stole £5,700 from his employers at a bingo hall was spared jail.

Paul Johnson, 52, was a manager at the Rio Bingo Club in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, when he took the cash between January 1 and November 7 last year.

He admitted the offence at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.

Johnson, now of Haydon Street, Swindon, was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

The court heard he was a manager and had tried to lay the blame on others. Prosecutors said the theft was a “breach of trust”.

Johnson also admitted committing the offence while serving a suspended sentence for drink-driving.

He was fined £100 and ordered to pay back the cash.