A FORMER supermarket worker and an accomplice who sneaked booze worth £12,000 out of a Blackburn store have escaped jail.

Ex-supermarket assistant Imran Dalal ensured that pallets filled with bottles of wine and spirits were left underneath cardboard or other rubbish outside Asda in Grimshaw Park. Later Colin Clayton would turn up in his car and stash the alcohol in his boot, Preston Crown Court heard.

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Prosecutor Paul Brookwell said that an inquiry was launched by Asda bosses after alcohol was found to be disappearing from their stock lists.

Dalal was found to have hidden five boxes, underneath cardboard, which were later picked up by Clayton. Fifty-four bottles of stolen wine and spirits were found in his garage by police.

The pair were arrested. Clayton told police he made around £5,000 from selling on the alcohol. Dalal had worked for the supermarket chain for 18 years but was dismissed after the thefts came to light.

Anthony Parkinson, for Dalal, said: “He had accrued significant debts through gambling, with his co-defendant and others, through a local bookmakers.”

Darren Lee Smith, for Clayton, said his client had accumulated a £20,000 credit-card debt as he struggled for work as a contract lorry driver.

Dalal, 44, of Brunel Close, Blackburn, and Clayton, 44, of Aster Close, Lower Darwen, each admitted theft. Each was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Each must also carry out 150 hours’ community service, while under 12 months’ probation supervision, and pay £6,000 to Asda in compensation.