THE former landlord of a Suffolk pub has admitted stealing more than £400.Darren Carter, 31, pocketed £474 takings from the Maypole Pub, at Wetherden, and wrote a cheque on his personal account to cover the shortfall, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

THE former landlord of a Suffolk pub has admitted stealing more than £400.

Darren Carter, 31, pocketed £474 takings from the Maypole Pub, at Wetherden, and wrote a cheque on his personal account to cover the shortfall, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

However, when Carter's business partners tried to cash the cheque they were told the account was closed, said Jonathan Seeley prosecuting.

Carter, who was living above the pub, admitted two offences of theft and was given a conditional discharge for two years.

He was ordered to pay £474.82 compensation and £400 prosecution costs.

Sentencing Carter, Judge Gareth Hawkesworth said the defendant had "bitten off more than he could chew" when he took over the running of the pub. He said Carter had lacked the necessary financial acumen.

He accepted that at the time of the theft Carter had been under a great deal of financial pressure and could see no other way out.

Andrew Thompson for Carter said that when his client had entered into a business partnership with two other men to run the pub it had seemed a "perfect opportunity".

Carter had been the active partner in the business and had been responsible for the day to day running of the pub seven days a week.

Mr Thompson said Carter had taken the money after his car, which was needed for cash and carry runs, had broken down and needed to be repaired.

At the time of issuing the cheque to his business partners Carter had not appreciated that it wouldn't clear.