A FORMER sub post office master short of money because his hours had been cut "borrowed" money from his employers until he had taken almost £10,000, a court heard yesterday.

John Wildsmith admitted at Teesside Crown Court theft of £9,440 from Borrowby Post Office, which he had run for 11 years.

Christopher Knox, prosecuting, said, his crime came to light when a Post Office auditor arrived.

Wildsmith, who had intended to pay the money back, admitted straight away that the audit would not tally because he had been taking money for two years.

He said it would not be correct as he had "borrowed money" and that it would be about £10,000. He knew the amount, he said, because he had been keeping a tally with a view to paying it back.

Mr Knox said the thefts began when 57-year-old Wildsmith's hours at the post office were cut to 12 hours a week, earning £300 a month.

The post office, he said, had previously been full time as well as a village shop, but he had been finding it extremely hard to keep his head above water as he had not been able to find a full-time job to work alongside his Post Office commitments.

Mr Knox said: "Mr Wildsmith told the investigators he had not taken the money to go on exotic holidays, or go out with women and he did not take drugs."

Wildsmith, of Borrowby Post Office, Borrowby, near Thirsk, was now selling his home and would pay the money back, he said.

Stephen Ashurst, for Wildsmith, said his client had a high standing in the village and was ashamed of what he had done.

He said Wildsmith had found it difficult to find work and did not have the business acumen to realise he may have been better off without the post office, which was not viable any more.

Judge George Moorhouse said Wildsmith had missed custody by a "whisker" and ordered he complete 200 hours community punishment, pay back the money and pay £600 costs from the sale of his home