A man who collected rent on a casual basis for his former landlord disappeared with £710 and was not caught until three years later, a court heard.
Lincoln magistrates were told that the defendant had committed a serious breach of trust even though he was not formally employed by his former landlord but worked for him on an ad hoc basis.
Mark Holmes, prosecuting, said the defendant had not been arrested at the time of the offence three years ago because he had moved from pillar to post, had not offended and so had not come to the attention of police.
“He was not trying to evade the police, he was just nomadic,” Mr Holmes said.
The 38 year old from Lincoln admitted theft on April 7, 2006.
Justin Atkinson, representing, said the defendant accepted he had been dishonest but claimed he had not taken as much as had been reported by the landlord.
Magistrates imposed a 12 month supervision order and 60 hours of community work. The man also has to pay £300 compensation to his landlord.