A former jockey who became addicted to strong painkillers carried out a familiar fraud to help to meet his habit, opening a bank account after providing false details, a court heard.

Durham Crown Court was told that having successfully obtained the Halifax account using another man’s name and details earlier this year, Peter Breward used an empty property that he had access to as a mailing address.

The court heard he then “racked up” more than £10,000 in credit within a fortnight of opening the account.

Ian West, prosecuting, said the defendant used the card to buy supermarket vouchers which he sold on for cash.

By the time his activities came to light, Breward had fraudulently run up a bill of £10,097 on the card, between February 3 and 17.

Mr West said the defendant has a history of 21 fraud convictions, similar offences of fraudulently opening bank accounts, enabling him to obtain thousands of pounds worth of cash, with Lloyds/TSB bank having to withstand the losses on past occasions.

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The court heard that his previous two court convictions, at Newcastle and Durham crown courts in 2016 and 2017, resulted in him narrowly escaping immediate prison sentences

But after admitting his latest count of fraud, using a credit card obtained by providing false details, the luck ran out for the 44-year-old defendant, of Park Avenue, Blackhall Colliery.

He received an immediate 16-month prison sentence, despite heavy mitigation by his defence counsel, Fiona Lamb.

The court was told Breward last worked at a furniture shop in Hartlepool in 2017, having previously been a jockey based at different stables and racecourses.

But he became addicted to strong tramadol painkillers following a knee injury which was to end his riding career.

A Probation Service report read to the court stated that he has managed to reduce his daily intake from 20-per-day to eight, but he still suffers with anxiety and depression.

Miss Lamb said he acts as the main carer for his mother, who does not want to go into a care home.

Although Miss Lamb conceded the defendant could not complain if he received an immediate prison sentence, she urged Judge James Adkin to take, "an exceptional course”, as her client is eager to remain in the community, caring for his mother and trying to lead a law-abiding life.

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But Judge Adkin told Breward his was, “a sophisticated crime with high culpability,” against a background of an “aggravating history” of similar convictions.

“Fraudulently opening bank accounts is something you have become adept at doing.

“One might have thought that having been given a chance you might rid yourself of the legacy of addiction to tramadol.”

But he said the defendant’s criminal activity earlier this year proves, “you are either unwilling or unable to rid yourself to this addiction that has plagued you.”

Judge Adkin added: “In my opinion there’s a high risk of you continuing to offend.”

Imposing the 16-month sentence, the judge also agreed to an application made by the prosecution to put in place a serious crime prevention order.

Upon his release from the custodial element of the sentence, Breward must inform the police if he intends to open a bank account or apply for credit.

The order will run for a maximum of five years after which the Crown can apply for it to be renewed.

Read next:

                Aycliffe woman jailed for fraud benefited by more than £114k from her crimes

                County Durham woman jailed again in further fraud cases

                Lyne Barlow: County Durham travel agent admits £2.6million holiday scam

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