AN angry cafe owner fears he will be lucky to get back even half the £10,000 stolen from him by a former employee.

Marco Barbutti, who opened The Olive Branch in Wanstead High Street three years ago, said he was yet to receive a penny of the cash taken by Jose Roque - who was spared jail after admitting to the crime.

Roque, 37, was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay back just half of the money he stole from the store between April 2008 and January this year.

But Mr Barbutti said he was disappointed by the amount Roque was told to give back - and claims he has been 'left in the dark' by the court service over when he will receive the compensation he is owed.

He said: "Let's face it I'll be lucky to get back even half of what he took.

"He was only told to pay £5,000 because police could not trace half of the money back to him.

"It was news to me that he turned up at court with a cheque, but I still haven't received a penny.

"He stole a lot of money and it did have a significant impact on the business."

The father-of-two said he was also upset by how long it took to resolve the case - more than six months after Roque first admitted to the crime.

He said: "I just thought this was an open and shut case after he confessed in March, so I was surprised it took so long.

"I'm not happy about what's happened, but both my father and son have been seriously ill recently so believe it or not this has been the least of my worries.

"It's been a difficult few months."

A judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court sentenced Roque, of Hornchurch, to 51 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He must also complete 120 hours of community service and pay back £5,000 in compensation and £600 in costs.

The Court Service has yet to comment.