A HAIRDRESSER who stole from his Skipton employer has been ordered to pay £562 in a fine, costs and compensation.

Bobby Thomas Colin Baker, 34, had been left in charge of Project Hair Design, Court Lane, for the day on August 12 and had left with £62 takings and float of £80, Skipton magistrates heard.

He failed to return to work, could not be traced by the owner and later told police the money had been stolen from his car, the court was told.

Baker, who initially denied theft, changed his plea to guilty before the trial was due to take place.

In mitigation, John Mewies said Baker had lost his job and security as a result of what he had done.

He was ashamed and embarrassed, had returned to taking heroin following the incident and was now on a methadone programme.

"This is a young man in torment. He feels entirely embarrassed and ashamed. He has lost a job that gave him respectability and a degree of financial stability," said Mr Mewies.

Baker, previously of Willow Way, Skipton, and now of no fixed abode, was fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £300 and a victims surcharge of £20. He will also have to pay compensation of £142 to the owner of the salon.