A BUS worker stole cash from a depot while wearing his uniform and a gorilla mask.

Vernon McLellan thought he could outsmart the security system at the Stagecoach garage in Marine Parade, Worthing.

CCTV showed him entering late at night, disabling the CCTV cameras, then stealing the cash in a suitcase from the safe.

He got away with a haul of more than £34,000 from the transport company’s takings.

But McLellan did not know there was a camera inside the safe.

Despite the mask, he wore his high-vis Stagecoach jacket.

He had also used his own pass to enter the premises.

The 39-year-old claimed he had stolen the money to pay for his family home because his estranged wife Louise had gambling debts.

The duo, formerly of Chichester Close, Hove, appeared at Lewes Crown Court, where Vernon admitted burglary, while Louise admitted handling stolen goods.

Judge Christine Laing QC described it as an “utterly inept” burglary, but handed the duo suspended prison sentences.

She said both McLellans would need to complete the Thinking Skills programme.

Robin Miric, prosecuting, said the incident happened in May 2017. He said bosses knew Vernon was the last person to leave the building the night before.

He said: “Vernon locked up and set the alarm, but later unset the alarm. He was the last person to have access to the safe.

“CCTV showed a dark figure dressed in a high visibility Stagecoach anorak enter the premises. The cameras were disabled.

“But there was a secret camera inside the vault that showed a person with a suitcase and a gorilla mask.”

Stagecoach bosses checked which fob had been used, and it was Vernon’s.

More than £10,000 was found in a Tupperware container in his car.

Louise was later found by police asleep in her car, which was stuffed with coins and notes from the burglary.

Janice Brennan, defending Vernon, said her client launched an “inept but desperate attempt to keep the family home” over Louise’s “gambling debts”.

She said: “Of course this was planned, but it was carried out incompetently.”

Katie Lee gave a statement to confirm that Vernon McLellan, formerly of Chichester Close, Hove, has since been working as a driver at a private hire car firm.

Jordan Franks, defending Louise, said his client denied the claims over gambling debts, and said she resigned from her job as a bus driver.

She is now signed off work with depression.

Judge Laing QC said she wasn’t going to “waste time on the reasons” for the burglary.

She said: “You both worked for the company and were paid by them, but chose to repay them by burglary.

“It was pre-planned, but I think it is an understatement to say it was an utterly inept burglary.”

The judge imposed a ten-month suspended prison sentence on Vernon.

He was ordered to complete 280 hours of unpaid work and 15 Thinking Skills sessions.

The judge said: “I am impressed you are back at work and making a good impression. But I doubt you will get access to the keys in the office. I rather hope not.”

Louise was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence, and must complete ten Thinking Skills sessions.

She is not capable of completing unpaid work.