A MAN who stole nearly £18,000 from his father-in-law's bank account went on a desperate gambling spree in an attempt to win it back, a court heard.

Teesside Crown Court was told debt-ridden Ian Walker, 41, was trusted by his sick father-in-law David Griffiths, 87, to draw money from the bank.

But instead of taking £60 a week which the pensioner gave him for his keep, Walker drew out £17,810 in six months.

Then, in a desperate attempt to replace the money, Walker went on a gambling spree and spent £80-a-week on the National Lottery, and bet heavily on horse racing, said Patricia Mancina, prosecuting.

But he was not able to repay any of the money.

Ian Bradshaw, in mitigation, said Walker, who had debts of £20,000, had never been in trouble before.

Walker, of Brompton Road, Middlesbrough, was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and a two-year probation supervision order after he pleaded guilty to stealing the money