Gambling Addict harasses, targets senior

Man jailed after stealing £3,200 from pensioner to fund gambling addiction

An elderly man was left with no money for food after being harassed for cash by a neighbour with a gambling addiction.

The 74-year-old victim is believed to have handed over up to £3,200 to Brian Barnes, who pestered him for money for months.

Brian Barnes, 33, of Ripon Close, Whitefield, pleaded guilty to fraud and breach of a harassment restraining order and was jailed for 20 months at Bolton Crown Court.

In February Barnes had been acquitted at Bury Magistrates' Court of a theft against the same man, but magistrates' imposed a restraining order on him.

He was prohibited indefinitely from communicating directly or indirectly, either by telephone, letter, fax or any other electronic device, with the man.

A few days after this court hearing, Barnes approached the man outside some shops on Rufford Drive, Bury telling him he had not been convicted of the previous charge.

Over the next two weeks Barnes began approaching the man, asking to 'borrow' more money off him.

The man later told police that Barnes was persistent and intimidating - he would visit and call him constantly until he handed over the cash.

The man's lack of money was noticed by a friend who would visit him every day.

She found at times he did not have the money for bare essentials and food, so she would take him bits to keep him going.

She tried to confront Barnes about this but he would not face her.

The man's brother had also noticed the lack of food and money so would also bring him cigarettes and food.

As there were two people bringing him things without the other knowing, they assumed his problem had gone away.

Sometime later, his friend noticed the man was again short of money and when she checked his phone found a number of calls from withheld numbers.

An officer spoke to Barnes who denied visiting or calling the man and he signed an agreement not to contact him or enter the road where the man lives.

One day in October the officer was at the house when he saw Barnes knock on the door and walk into the house when the door was opened.

He saw Barnes take £120 from the man and arrested him.