A SHOP manager caught with his fingers in the till has been told he won't go to prison.Nigel Fordham, of Edmonton Road, Kesgrave, was caught stealing money from shoe repair shop Timpson Ltd in Ipswich town centre.

A SHOP manager caught with his fingers in the till has been told he won't go to prison.

Nigel Fordham, of Edmonton Road, Kesgrave, was caught stealing money from shoe repair shop Timpson Ltd in Ipswich town centre.

The 48-year-old was seen taking money from the shop till on security cameras.

At a hearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court yesterday, Fordham pleaded guilty to three charges of theft. He also asked for 11 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

The court heard how Fordham regularly stole small amounts of money from the till in a bid to pay for lunch or drinks.

Between November 2000 and March 2001 it is estimated Fordham stole a total of about £150 from the Westgate Street shop.

Ian Pells, prosecuting, told the court the defendant had been convicted of a similar offence at a magistrates court in Maldon in 1998 and was sentenced to community service.

Howard Catherall, mitigating, said: "He was manager at the branch, however this was a position which he was actually forced into."

Mr Catherall said the manager of Timpson Ltd left due to the pressures of the job and Fordham was promoted on a three month trial basis

He was kept in the position after his trial period against his will and then

suffered from the same pressures as he predecessor. It was at that point the thefts started.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of pre-sentence reports and ruled out the possibility of a custodial sentence.

Fordham was released on bail to return to the same court for sentencing on March 18.