An Ipswich sex shop worker who stole £1,700 from his employer has been given a 12-month community order.

Ipswich magistrates heard Gabriel Rose handed himself in on Tuesday morning after a warrant had been put out for his arrest on Monday when he failed to turn up for his sentencing.

The court was told the 38-year-old, of Burrell Road, Ipswich, was dyslexic and had believed his sentencing was due to take place on January 23 and not January 20.

Rose’s solicitor Dino Barricella said when Rose realised what he had done he had surrendered to the court.

Rose had previously admitted theft by employee of £1,717 when he appeared before the court on December 23.

Prosecutor David Bryant said the director of Darker Enterprises, which owns the Private Shop in Norwich Road, had noticed money taken had not paid into the bank.

It had happened on various days between November 3 and 11.

Amounts ranging from £85 on one day to £248 on another had disappeared.

Rose had been working in the shop part-time since September and had been on duty on all the days the money went missing.

When confronted by the shop manager Rose said he had all the receipts at his home and would get them.

However, that was the last time the manager saw Rose and police were subsequently called.

The court heard Rose told police he was not good with dates or numbers due to his dyslexia.

He had fallen behind with his rent and said he had borrowed money from the shop with the intention of paying it back.

All the money was used for bills and food.

Mitigating, Mr Barricella said: “This was not committed to fund an extravagant lifestyle or to fund an addiction. Unfortunately he got himself into debt.”

As part of Rose’s community order he was told he had to complete 120 hours’ unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £1,717 compensation to the shop, along with costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £60.