A man who stole thousands of pounds from the pub where he worked and used the money to pay for his stepson's school fees has been jailed.

Brendan Toland, 46, of Daisy Bank, Abingdon, was convicted of stealing £2,400 from the Butcher's Arms, in Leamington Spa, by Gloucestershire magistrates.

He was committed to Gloucester Crown Court for sentencing where the recorder, Richard Royce, sent him to prison for six months.

Paula Hollins, prosecuting, said Toland was working for Licensed Retail Trade Ltd where he was responsible for the pub's takings.

He deposited some money in the company's account and kept the rest.

Michael Forward, defending, said £1,500 of the money taken went towards paying for Toland's 14-year-old stepson's school fees.

He said: "He has put back some £200 in the last month leaving a debt of £2,200. He has found work as an agency driver."