A company boss paid the first instalment of compensation to an employee who stole from him.

Simon Cremer, of Little Maplestead, paid just under half of the £5000 owed to Mark Gilbert yesterday after the pair settled out of court.

In 2008 Mr Cremer was bound over to keep the peace after he frogmarched Mr Gilbert to Witham Police Station when he discovered him stealing from his flooring company which was based in Witham.

Mr Gilbert, who was given a caution for theft, decided to sue because of the trauma caused by the citizen’s arrest.

As part of the settlement Mr Cremer was landed with a £25,000 legal bill from his former employee and claims he could lose his home if he has to pay it.

See this week's Halstead Gazette for the full story.