A man accused of stealing more than £10,000 from Lake District car park ticket machines has gone on trial.
Harvey Davidson, 30, is alleged to have stolen almost £10,400 cash from the Grizedale and Whinlatter forest parks between late 2013 and June, 2014.
Davidson denies three theft charges and has gone on trial at Carlisle Crown Court.
Opening the case to jurors today, prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson said Davidson was employed by the Forestry Commission - which owns the machines - at the time discrepancies came to light.
He was allegedly the "chief suspect", the court heard, due to him having emptied the ticket machines as part of his job.
He also knew where a unique set of keys needed to open them was kept.
But when quizzed by police, Davidson, of Portland Square, Workington, said he "didn't know anything about the thefts".
The trial continues.
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