A FATHER of six unknowingly became the getaway driver after the theft of £12,349 worth of cigarettes at Sainsbury's, a judge was told.

Paul Bird, from Wembley, was called by his friend at around 2am on June 12 2015 to give him a lift from Bagshot Road but later claimed he was unaware a robbery had just taken place.

More than £5,000 worth of damage was caused to the petrol station in the overnight raid in which the brick wall next to the cash machine was drilled into to gain entry.

The large haul of cigarettes was not loaded into 38-year-old Bird's van, but police picked up the registration of his vehicle on CCTV in a nearby street shortly after the robbery, it was said.

“Mr Bird received a phone call an hour before the robbery took place and agreed to go to the location in an empty van,” said prosecuting, Rebecca Austin.

“He got to the scene to see his friend whom he knew for the purpose of giving him a lift.”

Bird was arrested on June 18 2015 and admitted to one count of theft on December 12 later that year.

“He is a family man,” said defending, Shelley Griffith. “Since committing this offence he has pleaded guilty and acknowledged his poor lack of judgement.

“Had he known what was happening prior to leaving his house that a burglary was taking place he never would have left, but that misses the point.”

Judge Ian Grainger said he accepted Bird's role was a small one.

“Your work van was spotted on a road immediately next door to the petrol station in the middle of the night,” he said.

“You entered the scene and realised that a robbery had taken place. Although I accept your role in this was a minor one, you still gave a lift.”

Bird was given a 12-month community order, instructed to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £60 at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, December 5.

Another man was convicted for the incident and is awaiting sentencing.