A former Invicta Dynamos star’s career as a satellite dish installer lasted just four days after he pocketed £1,000 in earnings and blew most on drink and drugs.

Peter Beerling, 36, of Cowden Road, Maidstone, who had a long history with the Gillingham-based ice hockey club, began work at Aerial Systems Direct Limited in March and went missing just days later, failing to turn up to the company’s office to hand over the cash.

His employer tracked down his van, where he found a crack pipe, empty alcohol cans and £300.

Andrew Jones, prosecuting the case during a trial at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court, said: “Whilst employed by this company the defendant was responsible for handling cash he had received from jobs. He had received £1,269.80 in cash from nine jobs.”

Boss Robert Marshall asked Beerling to present the cash on March 8, but he did not show up.

Beerling’s company van was fitted with a tracker device and Mr Marshall was able to locate the van in a country lane in Detling.

Giving evidence to the court, the director of Maidstone-based Aerial Systems Direct said: “When he didn’t turn up we pulled up the tracker information and could see the vehicle was driving all night in various places.

“We looked through the window and could see a touch screen tablet, a mobile phone, a crack pipe, lots of empty beer cans.

“I did have a drug habit and it was funding that. I had all intentions of going back to work to pay it off. I’m not a thief" - Peter Beerling

“We thought he had dumped the vehicle or done himself harm.”

When Mr Marshall and a colleague returned to the van a second time moments later they found Beerling, unresponsive, and called the police.

Defending himself, Beerling said: “I did have a drug habit and it was funding that. I had all intentions of going back to work to pay it off. I’m not a thief.”

Magistrates dismissed Beerling’s claims and convicted him of one count of theft by employee.

Beerling was sentenced to 20 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, plus 200 hours’ unpaid work.

He must pay £729.80 compensation and court costs of £125.