AN EMPLOYEE who stole thousands of pounds worth of industrials drills and tools from work sold them on eBay using the trading name 'mybossisanumpty.'

But Kevin Smith underestimated his employers, who found about his offences, and he admitted a charge of theft at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday.

However, Smith, aged 54, of The Bassetts, Cashes Green, Stroud, did not admit taking the full £16,213 worth of equipment alleged by the prosecution but insisted the value of what he stole was only £3,000.

As a result, a Newton hearing, or trial of issue, will be held on March 11 when a judge will hear evidence from his former employers, Norman Precision, and also from Smith to determine the extent of his offending.

Janine Wood, prosecuting, said the equipment went missing from the firm between May 15, 2010 and August 17 last year.

"We have only just received his basis of plea and we need to go through it," she said. "He says that the other tools he sold on eBay he had bought in a car boot sale - which is not accepted by the Crown.

"Clearly witnesses will have to come to court to give evidence."

Judge Jamie Tabor QC said "At present he has got some credit for plea but he is going to lose that if I find that he took considerably more than he says he has. That could have quite a dramatic effect on his sentence."

Stephen Ritter, for the defence, said Smith accepted he stole approximately £3,000 worth of goods which he sold on eBay but not more than that.

The trial of issue will take a full day, he estimated.

Smith was bailed to await the hearing.