A PUB'S door supervisor who also works for Carlisle United stole a charity box containing £40 that was meant for the mental health charity Mind.

James McBride, 52, who later told police he spent the cash mostly on petrol for his motorbike, stole the money while he was doing a shift for the General Wolfe pub in Little Dockray, Penrith. At Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates' Court, he entered a guilt plea to a single charge of theft.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said the defendant, from South End, Wigton, committed the offence of July 27.

Staff at the pub noticed that the charity box had been removed from its usual place. It later emerged that McBride had seen it, taken it to a more secluded area near the toilets, and emptied the coins inside into his pocket.

"In his police interview, he said that he saw the charity box and temptation got the better of him," said Mrs Ward.

He freely admitted that he intended to keep the money.

Mrs Ward added that McBride has no recent convictions, his last one being a theft from another employer in 2006.

"There was a breach of trust," added the prosecutor.

Rachel Ottley, for McBride, said the defendant was struggling financially and that was the only explanation he could offer for what he had done that day. He now feared that as a result of the conviction he would lose his licence to work as a door supervisor. He also currently worked for Carlisle United, she said.

"So he won't be able to take part in something that he has done for the last eight or nine years," said the lawyer.

"He is concerned that he may lose his partner and his home so he really is aware of the consequences of his own actions. He accepts that it aggravates the offences that it happened while he was at work.

"At the moment his licence hasn't been taken away and he is still working. He hopes to continue into the near future."

A Probation Service worker in court said the defendant's last theft had been 13 years ago and McBride had no problems with drugs or alcohol, so there was no need for rehabilitation.

At the moment, he was living on his savings, she said.

Passing sentence, the presiding magistrate said the court had noted the defendant's clear remorse, adding: "I am sure that it will never happen again." She imposed a community order which includes 60 hours of unpaid work, along with a £90 surcharge, £85 costs, and £40 compensation to Mind.

As he left the dock, McBride said to the magistrates: "I'd like to than you for your leniency."