THE assistant manager of a Bournemouth public house penned a letter of apology before fleeing with thousands of pounds of the takings.

More than four years after the confession the long arm of the law finally caught up with Avni Haxhui after he was involved in a fracas at a London kebab shop.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Nick Robinson said 27-year-old Haxhui, who admitted theft by an employee, had been responsible for locking up the Litten Tree on Old Christ-church Road after closing time.

“He lived above the premises and was also responsible for cashing up, with access to the safe. Things came to a head on July 27, 2007 when the then manager Sean James noticed £2,890 was missing from the safe.

“He came across a note written by the defendant, apologising and explaining he was a gambler with a debt he had to pay.

He was going to Birmingham and would do his best to pay it back.

“Mr James contacted the police and two weeks later the defendant repaid £500; the remaining sum is still outstanding.”

The court heard how a warrant had been issued for Haxhui’s arrest and he had been eventually been detained in February this year in London where he was living with his brother.

Defending, Nigel Mitchell said: “My client put this behind him until there was an argument in a kebab shop and police were called.

“He is no longer a gambler and has not offended since this offence.”

Jailing Huxhui, of Lakeland Road, Kentish Town, London, for eight months, Judge Samuel Wiggs told him: “You were in a position of very considerable trust.

“I accept you didn’t know that for several years the police were looking for you.”