An accountant who tried to take his own life after admitting stealing over £10,000 to pay off escalating debts, has narrowly avoided jail.

Worcester Crown Court heard that Gordon Smith, of Windsor Road, Norton, was deep in debt from his mortgage, credit cards, a leased car and educating his children.

But thanks to an early guilty plea to five charges of theft, Judge Michael Cullum said he was able to suspend a 12-month jail term for two years and order Smith - who worked for Worcester County Council - to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

The 54-year-old had been treasurer of the Midland Counties chief internal auditors co-operative, to which 14 Midland county councils contributed.

The court heard Smith had become treasurer in 2008 and moved on to secretary a year later.

It was later discovered that he taken large sums from the fund and paid them into his own bank accounts.Prosecutor William Rickarby said that following a 2011investigation, he attempted to take his own life. When interviewed, he admitted he had large debts. He had been employed as an accountant in Birmingham but his income had fallen when he decided to work for Worcester County Council. He had begun to 'lose the plot'.

Richard Hull, defending, said that when Smith turned 50 he found his career was not following the route he had expected, the Stourbridge News reports.

He found new employment in a bid to reinvent his career but this was unrealistic.

Another factor was that he didn't wish to reveal the depth of his financial crisis to his family.

Judge Cullum said Smith was aware he was dealing with public money. He made withdrawals knowing they would be discovered but claimed he had intended to repay the money.

When his crimes were discovered he decided to end his life, the court heard.

The judge said he was aware that Smith was receiving income from an annuity and that there would be an investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act to reclaim the stolen money.