A CELEBRITY photographer has dodged prison for ripping off a friend - after walking free for taking thousands of pounds from an 86-year-old's bank account.

Serial fraudster Terry Blackburn was spared jail in 2009 when Teesside Crown Court heard that he had changed into an "almost exemplary human being".

The court heard he had been humbled by work in a charity shop, realised there were people worse off and became an ambassador for a sick kids' cause.

This week, the 32-year-old was back before a judge for stealing a pal's bank card and withdrawing money from his account while he was away on holiday.

Blackburn, of Knitsley Walk, Stockton, was given a ten-month suspended prison sentence after he admitted a charge of burglary and two counts of fraud.

His barrister, Victoria Lamballe, told Judge Advocate Paul Camp that he made just £300 from his freelance business last month, and was declared bankrupt in 2014.

In 2009, his lawyer Nigel Soppitt admitted fleecing the Alzheimer's sufferer was "a low crime" but said Blackburn was "a million miles from that man".

Mr Soppitt told the court: “He’s almost an exemplary human being these days, almost a model citizen. He simply wants to lead a law-abiding life."

The court heard how Blackburn gave in to "the lure of easy money" and more than £5,200 of the elderly victim's funds found their way into his account.

An email address set up in the woman’s name but registered to Blackburn’s home was used to arrange online banking facilities for her bank accounts.

In 2013, Blackburn took advantage of a friend's holiday to Thailand - and him forgetfully leaving behind his house keys and misplacing his bank card.

He withdrew £300 on two consecutive days, then bought a camera lens worth more than £1,600 from a photography company, said prosecutor Joseph Spencer.

Miss Lamballe said: "The defendant is fully able to recognise the trust placed in him by his friend. Through me, he offers an unqualified apology."

Blackburn - once hailed Teesside's celebrity king for the photos he has with stars - has had alleged run-ins with singer Kanye West and Paul Gascoigne.

The judge told the dad-of-one to carry out 180 hours of unpaid community work, and compensate his victim £2,273 at the rate of £200 a month.

Blackburn initially offered to pay back £100 a month, but the judge - noting he had taken pictures of a royal prince - said: "I'm puzzled he isn't able to produce more."

After hearing about other dishonesty convictions in 2002 and 2005, he added: "I can't imagine any judge letting you escape without going to prison on another occasion."