An assistant manager at the Somerset MarketPlace store has admitted stealing thousands of dollars from his employer.

David Scott, 44, a US citizen living in Southampton, appeared in Magistrates’ Court yesterday where he changed an earlier not guilty plea.

Scott was charged with stealing a variety of currency, cheques and gift certificates from the grocery chain on May 3. He was arrested at his home the following morning and prosecutors claimed he was preparing to flee the Island.

According to a psychiatric evaluation read out in court, Scott suffers from depression and a gambling addiction.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner adjourned sentencing until July 25 and ordered a social inquiry report and a further psychiatric report. Scott was remanded into custody until sentencing.