THE manager of a McDonald's restaurant who stole nearly £6,000 from the business said stress from pressure at work and home drove him to contemplate suicide.
Charles Graham Middlemass, 40, of Chi an Bobel, Pool, pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates' Court to stealing £5,815.24 from the Threemilestone outlet between May 24 and 27.
Anita Kennett, for the CPS, said Middlemass was duty manager and his theft was discovered after police had been called to what was thought to be a break-in at the restaurant.
But CCTV showed Middlemass counting takings and float money and putting it in his backpack before leaving.
He told the police he was in a bad place at the time, contemplating suicide and struggling with stress in the job and in his home life.
He had previous convictions.
Richard Cogar, for the defence, said Middlemass had been working very long hours and was considerably stressed, not knowing how to deal with it. He had since been referred for investigation into his mental health.
The magistrates sent the case to Truro Crown Court on July 17 for sentencing.
