DIGGER giant JCB is standing by one of its employees after he stole vodka from a supermarket.

Prolific offender Paul Wright has 42 offences of dishonesty on his record and is still on prison licence for another crime until next April.

But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court has given Wright another chance after hearing JCB is supporting its worker and that he is no longer taking heroin.

Handing him a 12-month conditional discharge, Judge Granville Styler told Wright: "I am going to give you a chance because it seems to me you are making an effort.

"You do not look to me that you are someone who is back on heroin.

"I suspect JCB won't support you again if you go off the rails.

"If you have sticky fingers again I am afraid you will know what the consequences will be.

"You have got your support, you are a lucky man."

The court heard 34-year-old Wright had hidden a £19.48 bottle of vodka in his jacket before walking out of Stoke's Sainsbury's store on May 31.

Witnesses have told how Wright left the shop and went to a waiting car.

But when he was challenged by two members of staff he got out of the car, ran off and threw the bottle in some nearby bushes.

Wright, of Sprinkwood Grove, Weston Coyney, was arrested and made full admissions in his police interview. He later pleaded guilty to theft.

The court heard the defendant is on licence from prison for an offence of burglary. Last year The Sentinel reported how he had absconded from Sudbury Prison, on the Staffordshire-Derbyshire border, while serving that custodial sentence.

Nicholas Bell, mitigating, said Wright is now testing negative for drugs, is in a stable relationship and is still paying maintenance for his two children.

He said: "He is employed by JCB and they are aware of his history and are supporting him."

JCB was today unavailable for comment due to its annual factory shutdown.