A MAN saved himself from going to prison by being a hard worker.

Wedney White, of Aldington Close, Redditch, put in the maximum overtime at his firm to provide for his large family.

But it meant missing probation service appointments to carry out unpaid community work imposed for possession of an imitation firearm, Worcester Crown Court heard.

He still had 85 hours left of a 200-hour order and had failed to attend work 61 times, said prosecutor Abigail Nixon.

The excuses ranged from illness to child care and employment demands.

White, aged 28, pleaded guilty to breaching the community order.

Judge David Matthews adjourned the case until October 9 and ordered White to work at least 40 more hours for the community during the intervening period.

He pointed out he was well aware White was a hard worker but said his reluctance to complete the court order had tried the court's patience.

The judge accepted he had problems with his former partner and had family responsibilties.

But he warned that if White did not perform the specified hours, he would be sent to prison.

Miss Nixon said White was charged after an incident in the Warwick Arms pub in Redditch on February 15, 2004.

He had bought a toy gun for his son and had forgotten it was tucked in his belt when he went inside the premises.