A HARD-UP worker used his boss's cash after his wedding was called off and he was left with debts.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Wesley Atkinson, 24, pinched his Barnoldswick employer's cheque book and then wrote out cheques which he used to pay back his stepfather money he owed him.

Atkinson, who now lives at the Hanover Hotel, Keighley Road, Skipton, where he is the resident DJ, admitted theft from Stuart Wright, obtaining about £1,000 by deception and asked for two offences to be considered

He was bailed until November 11 for a pre-sentence report and was told by the bench all options would be open.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said Atkinson made his stepfather believe the cheques were his wages. The stepfather gave back some money to the defendant after he put the cheques in the bank.

Rachel Adamson, defending, said Atkinson split up with his girlfriend in March. They were due to have been married in July and he was left with a lot of debts. He had no job and no way of paying them off.

Mr Wright offered him one of his flats and the two decided to start a business buying and selling cars. Both lost about £1,000.

The defendant could not see any way forward, thought his job was on the line as well and took the cheque book on impulse. The theft was not planned or sophisticated.

Miss Adamson said Atkinson now worked as a wagon driver and as a DJ and claimed he had rebuilt his life. She said: "He had hit rock bottom but now has a lot to offer society."