A scaffolder who was paying protection money doctored two cheques he was trying to cash at a shop in Watford.

Jamie Stewart, 31, placed a '2' in front of a £36.49 cheque that he presented to Cash Express on the 4th March this year.

He was given the money but, later that same day, went back and tried to obtain £916.28 after placing a '9' in front of £16.28 on the cheque, St Albans Crown Court heard today.

Prosecutor George Heimler said that Stewart was also in breach of a conditional discharge that had been imposed for theft by finding after he took a camera that had been left by a customer on a table in a McDonalds Restaurant.

Stewart, of Adams Court, Cezanne Road, Watford, pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud and admitted breaching the conditional discharge that had been imposed by magistrates on the 18 February 2014.

He had 13 previous convictions for 34 offences.

Shona Grundy, defending, said pressure had built up on Stewart. He had been in an employment dispute in 2013 and was paying protection money to a company who said he had taken work from them.

She said "He had reached breaking point and desperation led him to behave in the way he did." The father of one was on anti-depressants for anxiety and stress. She said he was receiving job seeker's allowance, but would be able to start work as a plumber in the next fortnight.

Recorder Justin Rouse passed an 18 month community order, with conditions that Stewart attends an Offenders general behaviour programme and a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must pay £236.49 compensation to Cash Express.