A temporary barman at Carlisle Cricket Club returned to his workplace early on the morning of News Year's Day and raided the safe.

Gavin Munn, 30, who escaped with £1,395 from the safe at the Edenside club, later told police he had intended to steal only £200 so that he could afford to pay his rent. At Carlisle's Rickergate magistratess' court today, Munn, of Warwick Square, Carlisle, admitted burglary.

Prosecutor Pam Ward said the defendant's responsibilities as a barman had including cashing up and putting takings into the safe at the end of business.

To allow this, he was given access to the safe's pass-code, said Mrs Ward.

The prosecutor described how at around 6.30am on January 1, the defendant returned to the club and used the key he had been given for the club door.

"He went straight to the bar and opened the safe," said Mrs Ward."

She said the money he took was the New Year's Eve takings.

When police interviewed the defendant, he told them that he was struggling financially and needed money to pay his rent. He said he had simply grabbed a wad of cash and left the club in a hurry.

He had one previous conviction for theft in 2009.

Mrs Ward said that all of the money stolen in the burglary was recovered.

Addressing District Judge Gerald Chalk, Munn said: "It's been a bit of a struggle. I was drunk and regretted it straight away.

"I panicked. I was going to take it back the next day. I know it was wrong."

District Judge Gerald Chalk imposed a 70 day jail term, but suspended the sentence for 12 months.

He stipulated that Munn must complete 15 days of rehabilitation with Cumbria Probation Service, and do 60 hours of unpaid work in the community, and also pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.