A COLLEGE maintenance worker lost his job after being caught on camera stealing a £20 note from his workplace.

Paul Jenkins, aged 26, of Duke of Edinburgh Way, Malvern, admitted stealing the money belonging to The Abbey International College when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.

Sarah Stock, prosecuting, said there had been a number of thefts at the college, in Malvern Wells.

A meeting was called and staff expressed concerns about Jenkins, who was employed there as a maintenance worker.

On Friday, November 11, several £20 notes were left out in the college and a security camera set up.

One went missing and when the camera footage was reviewed it showed Jenkins squatting down and taking it. When he was arrested and searched, police found £125 in his wallet – including a £20 note with a serial number matching one belonging to the college.

Officers also found a small quantity of cocaine, worth about £10. Richard Hull, defending, said Jenkins regretted taking the money.

“He has thrown away a good job.

He had stable, secure employment and was earning about £900 a month. Now he’s getting about £250 a month in jobseekers’ allowance,” he said. “He’s been very foolish and he recognises that.”

He added that Jenkins was a very occasional recreational cocaine user but that it had “not taken a hold of his life”.

Jenkins was fined £85 for each of the two charges and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £15.