A supervisor for a Cornish fruit and vegetable wholesaler who was delivering to customers and pocketing the payment for himself was warned at Truro magistrates court that he might be sent to prison for what he had done.

Peter Malcolm Giles Howard, aged 52, of Halt Road, St Newlyn East, Newquay, pleaded guilty to stealing from his employer R T Julian and Son and to stealing from Bridge Stores at Goonhavern. He asked for 14 similar offences to be taken into account.

The court heard that altogether he had stolen monies in the region of £650.

Prosecuting, Sarah Topham said deft worked as a supervisor, driver and warehouseman for R T Julian and Son who traded from Treloggan Estate, Newquay, and who had been his employers for 11 years. As one of the few staff members to be so trusted he was given the keys to the premises.

Mr Julian, the court was told, had become suspicious following a stock check on May 1 and found stock was missing from the warehouse.

He went to a butcher's shop in St Newlyn East and found that Howard had been supplying them for several years although Mr Julian was aware that no account existed. The owner of the butchers said he had an agreement with Howard whereby he paid him for the goods and sometimes in meat.

Another loser was the Bridge Stores at Goonhavern where Howard delivered goods and was paid for them. The owner said they had been in financial difficulties and had an outstanding debt to R T Julian which they were attempting to reduce by paying Howard extra, but it was found that Howard kept these monies and the debt was not reducing.

Howard had no previous convictions.

Jeremy Leaning, defending, asked the magistrates to seek a full probation report. The dishonesty had been going on for about nine months. Howard was now working for a different employer and had said he would pay compensation in full.

The magistrates adjourned the case to October 24 looking for a probation report, telling Howard they considered his case was so serious he may go to custody.