Former B&Q supervisor John Boyle, 38, of Hoctun Close, Glass Houghton, was sentenced to a two-year community order in September last year after admitting scamming the refund procedure at the Glass Houghton store.

Boyle – who also admitted lying on his job application form – refunded items to his own bank account during a 15-month period at B&Q before his thieving was discovered.

He was found to have benefited to the tune of £59,857 and was ordered to pay back £17,085 within nine months or face jail, in a confiscation order issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 at Leeds Magistrates’ Court in January this year.

Boyle is now serving a ten-month sentence for non-payment of the cash.

Det Ch Insp Dean Henson, the district’s crime manager, said: “This is possibly the strongest deterrent against crime available to us.

“The legislation shows absolutely no mercy. Unlike custodial sentences for crimes, where people have the opportunity to get early release for good behaviour, the only way Boyle can get out is if he pays the full order.

“Failing this he does the full term and the debt will still be owed at the end of it.

“Local officers are really getting to grips with this approach to criminal activity and have shown a thirst to see the money taken out of crime.

“We have a dedicated team of financial investigators within Wakefield district division who will pursue information and evidence relating to people suspected of living off criminal gains.

“We are working hard to route out those that believe they can live beyond their legitimate means. We welcome any information from the local community. Rest assured we will act on it.

“I would urge anyone who thinks they can help us to contact our local neighbourhood policing teams or Crimestoppers.”