Gambling Addiction Began at 14

Gambler who stole from girlfriend became addicted at 14 with bet on Grand National

Thursday, February 14, 2013

A GAMBLING addict stole money from his girlfriend and frittered it all away on a spiralling betting problem.

He became hooked on gambling at the age of 14 with a bet on the Grand National and believed he must have lost thousands of pounds over the years, a court heard.


Travis Tasker, 33, of Airedale Way, Grimsby, admitted stealing £110 cash, belonging to Louise Perkins, between January 23 and 26 and asked for an offence of stealing £180 from her on January 25 to be considered.

Sue Barker, prosecuting, told Grimsby Magistrates' Court that Tasker asked his girlfriend if he could borrow some money for a takeaway meal and she gave him her bank card.

He withdrew £120 and used £10 to pay for the takeaway, but kept the rest.

"The following day, he used the money left to go to a bookies and gambled it all," said Mrs Barker.

Tasker put some of his own money towards his gambling and, despite a short-lived winning streak, still lost all the money.

He borrowed more money and went back to the betting shop.

He later asked his girlfriend for money to pay for a taxi and took a second bank card of hers.

He withdrew £180 and went back to the bookmaker's shop.

Miss Perkins was left with just £2.30 in one account and £1.69 in the other, but had four children to support, said Mrs Barker.

The court heard that Tasker and Miss Perkins were still in a relationship, but did not live together.
Tasker first started gambling at the age of 14 with a bet on the Grand National, but later progressed from betting on horses to gambling machines.

He estimated that he must have lost thousands of pounds, the court heard.
Nick Furman, mitigating, said Tasker admitted he had a gambling problem but had been out of trouble since 2003.

Deputy district judge Helen Cousins told Tasker: "It was a very mean and unpleasant offence. You were prepared to steal from your own to fund some sort of addiction."

Unemployed Tasker was given a one-year supervision order, including alcohol counselling, and was ordered to pay £290 compensation.


Read more: http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/Gambling-addiction-began-14-bet-Grand-National/story-18144948-detail/story.html#ixzz2KvEMIKjk