A MAN who offered to oversee his father’s online banking, regularly dipped into the account to fund his gambling addiction, a court heard.

But by the time Graham Brown came clean and owned up to what he was doing he had frittered away £14,856 of his now late father’s money.

Durham Crown Court was told that although his father did not want to assist police action against his son, he did report it to his bank’s fraud division.

Brown, himself, rang police to own up to what he had done and the court heard that his father was fully reimbursed, so the loss now falls to the bank.

Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, said Brown made 150 un-permitted withdrawals of between £10 and £300, between March and November, 2015.

Mr Giuliani said Brown “full and frank” admissions, explaining that he had a gambling addiction, from which he had debts, but offering to pay the money back.

Asked if he has repaid anything, defence counsel Martin Scarborough said the bank would only seek reimbursement once criminal proceedings were concluded.

Mr Scarborough told the court: “He had been dealing with internet banking for a number of years beforehand, but his gambling addiction led to this over about eight months, in 2015.

“The bank reimbursed his father, but they won’t accept any settlement until court proceedings are resolved, so the bank does remain out of pocket.”

Mr Scarborough said since he confessed about his activities, Brown has closed all his internet betting accounts and sought help from Gamblers’ Anonymous.

“He has also sought assistance through Bupa, at work, over his addiction, which his father was aware of.

“Nonetheless, he fully accepts he ought to be punished and brought to account for what he did.”

Mr Scarborough said the case remained unresolved at the time of the death of Brown’s father, aged 61, in April.

The 34-year-old, of Sea View, Crimdon Dene, who has no previous convictions, admitted making false representation to make gain for himself.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said it was not a “one-off” crime, as there was a persistence and duration over which it took place.

He passed a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours’ unpaid work, but ordered the defendant to complete five rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service and pay back £1,200 to the bank over the next year.

Judge Carroll said the bank ought to take civil proceedings to seek the repayment of the remainder of the money.