A SHOP worker pocketed more than £1,000 in lottery cash after discovering how to identify winning scratch cards.

The scheme helped John Mazur, 22, supplement his income as assistant manager of Bells Store in Corporation Road, Darlington, with about £100 a week over a three-month period.

His deception was eventually uncovered by bosses and yesterday he pleaded guilty to one count of theft at South Durham Magistrates' Court in Darlington.

David Crook, prosecuting, said Mazur, of Oakfield, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, would choose a time when he was alone in the store to check through rolls of scratch cards.

"There was a way he was able to check these cards to see which were winners and which were not," he said. "He was able therefore to collect winning scratch cards. He would claim that money back 'legitimately' as a winner."

He said the store manager became suspicious when he discovered certain financial discrepancies.

Mazur was questioned by security staff and immediately admitted the theft.

He later told police he had no financial problems and would "simply fritter the cash away".

In total 46 tickets were found to have been checked by Mazur.

"These are therefore valueless as it were, having been checked, and there's a loss of approximately £68 to Bells," said Mr Crook.

The real financial loss, he added, was to lottery company Camelot.

Mr Crook said the racket meant the odds of customers buying a winning card at the store at the time were reduced to virtually nothing.

Chris Bunting, mitigating, said Mazur, who had worked at the store for two years, accepted he had breached trust.

Sentencing was adjourned until May 29 and Mazur was granted unconditional bail.

Mike Walker, retail operations director for Bells Stores, said security measures had since been stepped up throughout its shops.

"It's something that's never happened before to us and now it has we are a lot more aware.

"The biggest thing about it is how much it has upset the rest of the team

"The manager saw John as a good young lad with a good future. He was actually getting considered for promotion. But he totally abused his position."