A SECURITY guard swiped a key to the office safe after knocking it off a shelf in the "throes of passion" as he had sex on the premises.

Worcester magistrates were told that Clint Aldridge pocketed cash from the safe to pay for repairs to his car - but left most of the money behind.

The 20-year-old was charged with burglary because he was not authorised to be on the premises of Simms Metals UK Ltd of Broadway at the time.

"Money was placed in the office safe at 12.10pm on Saturday, March 18 and the key then put in a brown envelope," said George Shone, prosecuting.

The envelope was then hidden among folders stashed on a shelf.

The court heard the safe was checked at 7.30am the following Monday and £150 was missing, although £462 was still there.

The office had been left unlocked and the key to the safe was in its envelope, added Mr Shone.

Two days later Aldridge was arrested and made a "full and frank" admission during the interview.

"It seems he had gone to the office during the weekend to have sex with his girlfriend," Mr Shone told the court.

During the "throes of passion" the couple had disturbed the items and the brown envelope had fallen to the floor, he said.

Aldridge spotted the key and decided to take a peek inside the safe, before pilfering £150 that had been lodged inside a green metal tin.

"My client is an immature young man and prone to acts of impulsive behaviour," said Andrew Childs, defending Aldridge, who admitted burglary.

He called it "highly significant" that Aldridge, of Colchester Street in Coventry, had shunned the chance to pocket all the money.

Magistrates ordered Aldridge to carry out 120 hours' community service and to pay £150 compensation to Simms Metals UK Ltd. Costs of £118 were awarded.