Did Royal Canadian Mint worker steal $180,000 gold in bizarre theft?

A former Royal Canadian Mint employee has been accused of stealing almost $180,000 (£138,650) in gold by hiding it in his rectum.

Leston Lawrence, 35, is accused of taking the gold in Ottawa - between 2014 and 2015. Lawrence was caught after a bank teller grew suspicious of his deposits.

Mounties found four gold nuggets in his security deposit box, as well as a container of Vaseline.

His defence lawyer argues the Mint didn't report any stolen gold nuggets.

Speaking in court, defence lawyer Gary Barnes said: "This is the Royal Canadian Mint, your Honour, and one would think they should have the highest security measures imaginable." Adding: "And here the gold is left sitting around in open buckets," the Ottowa Citizen reports.

Crown attorney David Friesen said they have 'compelling evidence' that someone was concealing gold 'on his person' and taking it out of the Mint.

It was also highlighted that Lawrence set off the metal detector alarms more than any other employee, but always passed the subsequent manual search.

The judge will deliver a decision on the case in November.