AN AMAZON worker has been placed on a tag and ordered to do unpaid work for his part in a scam which involved the theft of over £4,000 of electrical equipment from the Dunfermline warehouse.

Mark Hughes, 29, and Ross Penman, 26, appeared in the dock for sentencing on Wednesday after earlier admitting that between March 1 and March 27 last year, they stole a quantity of camera equipment and electrical items from the company's Amazon Way premises.

At a previous hearing, the Dunfermline Sheriff Court, heard that the company had received information that items were being stolen by the two men, helped by another male working in the packing room.

As a result of this, CCTV cameras were installed to monitor the situation.

A loss prevention officer was informed that items would be opened up and camera equipment and other electrical goods added before the packages were dispatched to Penman’s girlfriend’s address. The CCTV captured images of Penman placing items inside a package before it was forwarded.

The loss prevention officer and human resources staff spoke to Hughes, of Main Street, Crosshill, and Penman, of Foulford Street, Cowdenbeath, and they admitted their involvement in the thefts.

On Wednesday, Hughes' defence solicitor, Mr Maguire, said his client had accepted his involvement in the "serious offence" from the outset.

"It was a significant breach of trust," he said.

"There is also the fact that others employed would have been under the shadow of suspicion and that is a matter that he has taken into account.

"His employment was brought to an end, understandably, due to his involvement. His motivation in becoming involved in this was a financial one. He was struggling with a gambling addiction and he has already taken steps to deal with this issue."

As a direct alternative to custody, Sheriff Craig McSherry placed Hughes on a restriction of liberty order requiring him to remain in his home from 7.30pm until 5.30am.

He also put him on a community payback order with supervision for 12 months and a requirement to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within nine months. Hughes was also ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation.

Sentence on Penman was further deferred as background reports were not available and he will return to Court on March 28.