He was found 10 days later by police, holed up in a hotel with a sports bag full of cash.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court last month McLaughlin admitted embezzling #18,917.89 from the Gulf service station in Wellhall Road, Hamilton, between December 12 and 19, 1997.

Passing sentence yesterday, Sheriff Hugh Neilson told the former manager he was lucky to escape jail for the ”serious breach of trust”. Instead he ordered McLaughlin to pay back #5000, which he had already saved up, to the company within two weeks.

The sheriff also ordered the former manager to pay a further #500 each month to Gulf until September, when he would review the situation.

McLaughlin was also ordered to attend regular meetings of Gamblers Anonymous. Sheriff Neilson said: ”My decision not to jail you is influenced by the fact that you have a gambling problem which you are trying to tackle.”

The sheriff added: ”In September I will review the situation and may consider imposing a probation order, along with unpaid work in the community, but we will have to see.”

McLaughlin’s lawyer, Mr Jim Carmichael, said his client had no previous convictions and at the time had a gambling habit that had spiralled out of control.

He said: ”My client is trying to deal with his addiction and has been attending Gamblers Anonymous on a regular basis and has managed to curtail his habit somewhat.

”Despite this case hanging over him since last year, he has managed to gain employment in sales and has been with the company since last April.”

Mr Carmichael also explained that his client had saved money to pay back.

McLaughlin refused to comment as he left court yesterday, surrounded by his family. He was ordered to appear at the court again on September 14.