A HARD-UP Securicor guard who stole almost £4,000 from ATM machines has walked free after a court heard that his family would suffer if he was jailed.

Jason Moore, 33, was told by a judge at Maidstone Crown Court that the orders he was imposing would be "more considerable" than a short prison sentence.

Moore, of Estuary Road, Sheerness, admitted nine theft charges.

He was given a 28-week jail term, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 180 hours unpaid work and attend a Think First programme.

The former soldier will be under supervision for 12 months and have to take a basic skills assessment and be given debt management assistance.

The court heard that Maidstone-based Securicor Cash Services provided money for cash machines at supermarkets.

Andrew Espley, prosecuting, said Moore was employed as a driver to take the cash to the machines.

It was noticed that amounts were going missing and notes were marked with an ultra-violet pen. When searched, some of the marked notes were found in Moore’s wallet.

None of the £3,740 stolen over six weeks had been paid back.

Peter Alcock, defending, said Moore was concerned about his family. His wife suffered from Crohns Disease and he has two children, aged two and five.

Moore found himself in debt, he said, and made "a spectacularly bad decision" to take the money.

"He is trying to earn money to clear the debt," said Mr Alcock. "He has passed his HGV licence and has a job ready to drive containers in Grain."

Judge Philip Statman said the offences were on any view a serious breach of trust and normally a short prison sentence was appropriate.

The judge told Moore: "You have a wife who is sick and may have to go into hospital. You have young children. If I sent you to prison today, there is a real possibility that their lives will be interrupted in a very profound way."

The judge said Moore had served his country in the Royal Green Jackets for a number of years and his military record was exemplary.

"You really deserve to go to prison today and no one could complain, least of all you," he said.

"I am mindful that others will be looking to see what is done with someone such as you who steals from his employer."

But Judge Statman said sentencing was an art form, not a science and he would pass a sentence that seemed lenient, but not unduly lenient.