Christopher Thompson said he stumbled upon a way to take money and was fed up at the "sloppy way the company was run" so just carried on doing it.

Denise Breen-Lawton, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday that Thompson had worked for the firm twice in West Yorkshire and it was on the second occasion between June 2006 and August 2007 that he turned to dishonesty by abusing the company's refund system.

Employees could make refunds up to £300 but after that a manager's authorisation was required. Thompson found that was not being complied with.

He made one test refund on his credit card and when that was not picked up began making more refund payments into his three bank accounts.

His offending eventually came to light when the company's deputy risk manager for the UK informed the store security manager on August 10 last year that someone had made fraudulent refunds the previous day.

He reported that the perpetrator had made a fraudulent transfer of £200. Checks were then made on the transactions and it was discovered that Thompson was the person responsible.

Miss Breen-Lawton said Thompson must have realised he was under suspicion because that day he went for lunch and did not return to the store.

He did not call to explain his absence that afternoon and when requested by letter to attend a disciplinary meeting on August 15 failed to turn up and was dismissed.

Inquiries revealed he had taken a total of £23,839 and he admitted spending the money on general expenses, drinks on nights out and giving £700 to help a friend. He said he only had a watch to show for it.

Thompson, 22, of West Park Road, Healey, Batley, admitted 10 counts of theft and asked for 68 other offences to be considered. He was given a 12 months prison sentence suspended for two years with 200 hours' unpaid work and a curfew order for three months.

Judge Ian Dobkin told him theft from employers was always a serious breach of trust but that he would be more useful doing work for the community and cost society less in the process.

Andrew Dallas, for Thompson, said his client was in debt and stumbled across the refund system, finding it an easy way to get money.