A GAMBLING problem was blamed for Daniel John Mellor's "snap decision" to steal tools and equipment from his place of work.

The 33-year-old appeared in the Proserpine Magistrate's Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing.

Police prosecutor Elizabeth Smith said that at 8.05am on July 20, Mellor attended the Mitre 10 at Centro Whitsunday and purchased a quantity of tools and roofing supplies on his employer's account.

She said on July 22 he failed to show up at work and resigned later that day, without returning any of the property.

The court heard that on August 1, Mellor contacted his employer saying he would pay for the goods, worth $475.30, by August 16.

Ms Smith said he then left the area and made no attempt to either return the items or pay.

The second charge related to a battery-operated tool, worth $800, which Mellor left work with at 2pm on July 19.

Ms Smith said he had no permission to take or retain that tool.

Defence solicitor Zoe Craven said Mellor had a gambling problem for which he had sought help and was also afraid of being laid off.

"It was a snap decision," she said. "He thought that if he was going to be made redundant, that certain things that were still outstanding to him, he'd obtain himself."

Mellor was fined $1500, but no convictions were recorded on either count.