A NAAFI bar manager defrauded the organisation of more than £1,000 to help pay for his wedding, a court heard.

Martin Pemberton, 47, was bar manager at Strensall Barracks when he set out on a lengthy programme to defraud the bar.

He pleaded guilty at York Magistrates Court yesterday to four charges of theft and deception, over cashing personal cheques then failing to record them.

The fraud came to light during an audit which discovered the money was missing.

Pemberton also asked for several other cases to be taken into consideration.

Mark Thompson, for Pemberton, said: "He was employed for many years and towards the very end of his service there, he unfortunately got himself into financial difficulties, which were contributed to by his forthcoming marriage, but very much regrets the whole situation."

He added that Pemberton had since moved with his wife to Northern Ireland, where he had found new employment and settled to raise the couple's five children.

He was given a 240-hour community punishment order to be served in Northern Ireland.

Updated: 10:51 Thursday, July 31, 2003