Gambling addict stole from dementia sufferer

Gambling addict stole £6,500 from dementia sufferer in Lincoln

A Lincoln man who stole £6,500 from his 73-year-old employer to fund his gambling addiction has been jailed for 12 months.

Trevor Tyler, 48, admitted taking the cash from dementia sufferer Julia Baynham after she gave him work as her driver.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Tyler became a "trusted companion" after the pensioner paid him £50 a day to take her where she wanted.

The court was told members of Mrs Baynham's family's became suspicious in February this year after noticing a "hole" in her bank accounts.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said: "They had some concerns about the bank accounts, there appeared to be large withdrawls from her Nat West and HSBC accounts."

Mr Howes said Tyler eventually confessed to taking £6,500 to fund his gambling habit on horses after "going mad" in January.

"Clearly he had access to her bank cards and pin number and used that to fund his addiction," Mr Howes added.

"The lady was shocked when she heard what had happened to her money."

Sunil Khanna, mitigating, told the court Tyler immediately admitted his guilt to the police when he was confronted with the theft.

Mr Khanna added: "The gambling spiralled out of control in January this year after he got a tip and won big."

Tyler, of Caram Way, Lincoln, admitted the theft of £6,500 in January this year.

Passing sentence Judge John Milmo QC told Tyler: "Bluntly these thefts were despicable."

Judge Milmo added: "The aggravating feature in this case is as to your knowledge she was developing dementia."