An Ipswich Asda security guard has lost his livelihood and good name after stealing Playstations and games from the store he was protecting from shoplifters.

Ipswich magistrates heard Elliott Hancock, of Downside Close was driven by desperation when he pilfered two Playstations, a Nintendo games console and 15 games worth £1,274.

However, when giving the 21-year-old ex-serviceman a 12-month community order Chairman of the Bench Dawn Girling told him: “This was a significant breach of trust.

“It was planned – you used inside knowledge to do it.”

Prosecutor Simon Bravery had previously told the court that Hancock was a security guard at the Asda store in Stoke Park Drive.

Other members of staff had become concerned goods were going missing.

An investigation was conducted and police were contacted.

A search of Hancock’s home yielded the consoles and games which he had taken.

Mr Bravery said when CCTV at the store was examined there were several instances in which a Playstation 3, a Playstation 4, and what looked like Nintendo were taken along with electronic games.

When confronted Hancock admitted he had taken the items.

The court was told the father-of-one was married and had recently left the army but had struggled to integrate back into civilian life. The family also did not have much money.

Magistrates heard Hancock chose the particular day to take the items because he knew his managers would be interviewing for staff and would not be on the shop floor.

He has now been unemployed since October 14.

Hancock pleaded guilty to theft by employee between October 3 and October 10 at his first court hearing.

In addition to his community order magistrates told Hancock he must carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work and was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.

He must also pay a £180 criminal courts charge and £60 to the victims’ fund.