WHEN hygiene products salesman Roy Dickinson failed to persuade his bosses to pay him a bonus or commission he decided to supplement his wages illegally, a court heard.

So Dickinson, 37, sold goods from his employer Cater-Lyne Ltd, which manufactures and supplies hotel and catering hygiene products from Hookstone Park, Harrogate, at a discount for cash - pocketing the proceeds.

When Dickinson, of Ethel Crescent, Knaresborough, admitted theft of £98.91 worth of property from his former bosses, he asked for three similar offences involving a total of £149 to be taken into consideration.

Prosecutor Martin Butterworth said Dickinson's thefts were uncovered last July when it was learnt he had been selling goods at discount and keeping the cash.

When interviewed by police Dickinson had claimed he was paid only £14,000 a year, despite working extremely long hours.

Geoffrey Rogers, mitigating, said Dickinson, whose marriage had ended in separation on New Year's Eve, had decided he was not well paid for the amount of work he had been doing for Cater-Lyne.

''He felt aggrieved,'' said Mr Rogers.

''He was short of cash to pay bills and realised he could make easy money. He fell for the temptation.''

Dickinson was ordered to do 80 hours on unpaid community work. Costs of £50 and compensation of £247.91 were also ordered.