A car park supervisor at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, took cash from the machines because he was aggrieved at not being paid for all the hours he worked, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Harry Owen worked from early morning until late at night, often seven days a week, and claimed for so many hours that his employer did not believe him, said Mr William Rickarby, defending.

After numerous complaints, he decided to take money from the machines as compensation, said Miss Samantha Crabb, prosecuting.

When he was arrested, he handed police three small pieces of cannabis resin and said he had more at home. He admitted supplying it to multiple sclerosis sufferers to relieve their pain.

Owen, aged 58, of Dolphin Road, Redditch, pleaded guilty on Friday to theft and possession of cannabis resin with intent to supply it to others.

He was given a 15-month jail sentence suspended for two years and ordered to repay £1,690 to the Worcestershire Acute Health Trust.

Miss Crabb said money had been taken from the hospital's parking meters over several months. A search of Owen's house revealed £1,690 in cash and 433 grammes of cannabis resin.

In interview, he claimed the Trust had been altering his time sheets and not paying him for hours worked.

Mr Rickarby said Owen had given cannabis to his wife to relieve her of the pain of multiple sclerosis before she died. He had got to know other sufferers and would supply them with the drug without profit.

Owen was a man of good character and felt justified in taking money from the machines to make up for pay he should have received.

Judge John Cavell said even if Owen felt he had been unjustly treated by the company, he should not have taken money from meters.