Mark Claxton, 55, was in dire financial straits when he stole high value tyres while working at a distribution depot next to the company’s Carlisle site.
Over many months, Claxton took surplus Pirelli stock which was not officially recorded. He was paid £40 per tyre by wagon driver Graham Wait, who transported them to Scotland. They were then sold on eBay.
Claxton admitted the theft and was said to have personally benefited from his crime to the tune of around £14,000.
However, the total retail value of almost 360 stolen Pirelli tyres sold on eBay was just over £102,000.
At Carlisle Crown Court, Claxton, of The Square, Cummersdale, was given a two-year community order. He was spared a prison term due to co-operation in the prosecution of Wait.
Wait, 57, was convicted of theft yesterday following a trial. His criminal benefit was about £68,000, the court was told.
Wait, of Mill Road, Bathgate, will be sentenced in April.
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