Northumberland pensioner fleeced by gambling addict
A PARTIALLY blind pensioner was duped out of thousands by a gambling addict who befriended her to feed his addiction.
Sylvia Hall, 83, from Northumberland, was left living in fear after she had nearly £5,000 stolen from her over a three-month period.
Stewart Greens, 52, gained the pensioner’s trust and began helping her out with household chores. He took her on shopping trips to Alnwick, walked her dog and took her for drives.
But Greens betrayed Ms Hall by using her cash card to empty every penny from her account.
And he blew the lot in a bookmakers right next door to the bank, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Greens, of Castlegate Court, Berwick, pleaded guilty to theft.
Michael Bunch, prosecuting, said the victim became suspicious after finding Greens loitering around upstairs for no good reason.
He said: “On another occasion, when she returned from a period in hospital, she was shocked to find he was at her address. It seemed he had acquired a key in some way.”
The pensioner, who lives alone, contacted the police after realising she was heavily overdrawn.
Greens had taken her card and pin number and made 24 withdrawals from her bank account. Mr Bunch said: “She kept her card and pin number together out of his way and she paid him for his help in cash.
“She is blind in one eye, lives off her pension and is gutted that someone could do this sort of thing. She now feels too frightened to go out.”
The victim told police she had trusted Greens and had depended on him to help her out with everyday chores.
Julie Clemitson, defending, said Greens had stolen the money to feed his gambling addiction.
She said: “His behaviour was not borne out of greed in the usual sense.
“It was borne out of an overwhelming urge to satisfy his addiction.
“The scale of this addiction was not recognised by him or his family until his offending came to light.
“He is appalled by the way he acted.”
She said Green was in secure employment and had saved £700 to give back to his victim. He had also attended two Gamblers Anonymous courses in Edinburgh.
Judge Brian Forster deferred sentencing until next May to give Greens the chance to repay what he owed.
He told Greens: “On 24 occasions, you went to a cash machine, took out money and that was immediately blown on gambling.
“What you did was disgraceful. You have a serious gambling addiction for which you need help.
“The usual sentence for such a case would be a 15-month prison sentence, but this is a lady of limited means and she needs to have her money back.
“It is only because of my concern for the victim who has suffered so much at her age that I am taking this course of action.”
He added: “When you come back to court, you can show that you have taken steps to show your obligation to her.”
Read more: Journal Live http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/11/24/northumberland-pensioner-fleeced-by-gambling-addict-61634-32297607/#ixzz2D96aSryZ
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