A CLEANER at Centrica Energy's gas terminals in Barrow has admitted stealing four gas monitors from work.

Peter Clarke, 36, of Rochester Place, Barrow, pleaded guilty to stealing four gas monitors from the Rampside gas works over a period of two months in 2014.

Clarke was employed as a cleaner through an agency working on behalf of construction contractor Land & Marine.

The theft of the monitors, which were valued at £1,150, was described as a “shocking breach of trust” by a Centrica spokesman.

In mitigation, Clarke said he had found them outside the Centrica plant in a skip.

The gas monitors are worn by staff and visitors to the Rampside Road site. They are designed to alert the wearer if there is gas or other harmful substances in the air around them.

The monitors are used to stop crews using any electrical tools or equipment that may cause a spark in the presence of gas.

In a statement issued after today's court hearing, a spokesman for Centrica said: "Thankfully no one was put at risk, but this equipment is designed to keep our people safe, so we immediately contacted the police following this shocking breach of trust.

“We would like to thank Cumbria Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service for their successful investigation into this matter.”

Clarke was given a 12-month community order and must complete 90 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £401.20 in compensation and £85 court costs.

Clarke appeared before District Judge Gerald Chalk alongside his brother Paul Clarke, 28, of Vulcan Road, Barrow.

Paul Clarke pleaded not guilty to handling stolen goods and fraud by false representation and will appear at Furness Magistrates’ Court on August 17.