A THIEF stole from holiday cottages while working for a South Cumbria cleaning company - and offered some of his loot for sale on Facebook.

Heavily-convicted criminal Phillip Darren Kenway is starting a 15-month prison sentence for stealing property worth £1,200-plus late last year.

Carlisle Crown Court heard Kenway was employed by Lindale-based South Lakes Services - a company which cleaned and serviced holiday lets.

Suspicions about Kenway's conduct grew after a quantity of linen and cleaning kits were found in his car by the senior manager in December 12.

A holiday homeowner also raised concerns about a Samsung 30" television, two mirrored bedside cabinets and a vacuum cleaner were reported missing from a property at Kirkby Lonsdale. These had gone in early November.

Bosses began to investigate. "They looked at the Facebook profile of Mr Kenway," said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson. "When they looked at that there were links to a property selling site called Lancaster Seek N Sell.

"There was a profile they were able to access. There they found pictures of the mirrored cabinets taken from the cottage at Kirkby Lonsdale."

Kenway was arrested. At his home, police found a garden table and chairs which had been stolen from a Lake District cottage close to Near Sawrey.

When interviewed, he denied any wrongdoing and even tried to blame two women whose names he gave but who, it emerged, didn't exist.

Tim Evans, defending, gave mitigation for Kenway, a man with almost 90 offences to his name and a previous theft from employer conviction.

Since being dismissed by the company, he had gone into business as a mechanic. Mr Evans insisted: "He has positive qualities as well, as a parent."

Kenway, of Mount Avenue, Lancaster, admitted three theft charges, and was sentenced by Judge Peter Davies. "You stole not only from holiday home owners but from your employer as well," said Judge Davies.

The judge concluded a 12-month jail sentence starting point must be increased due to the defendant's "horrendous" criminal past.

"I'm told you will be losing your business and I am sure your partner and children will suffer. That is unfortunate. But your record is too grave."