Thanks for your comments lads. You've all made me feel i did do the right thing although by the sound of it i should have done it sooner. I just felt annoyed with myself at not being able to avoid firing him. But he really was bugging me with his laziness and i cannot stand lazy people. I won't be losing any sleep over it either.
I glad your slacker eventually got fired Texasdrake. He sounds like a right sneaky bastard and cocky with it. At least he got his comeuppance.