A CALLOUS fraudster stole money from his own grandfather and friends during a year-long spending spree.

Jamie Walker stole his grandfather's chequebook, dined out at restaurants, knowing he could not pay, and tried to settle a bill with his friend's bank card.

The 20-year-old, of Linksview Crescent, off Newtown Road, Worcester, even emptied his friend's bank account after he allowed him to stay at his home.

Sentencing Walker to six months in custody, suspended for two years, at Worcester Magistrates Court, deputy district judge Kevin Grego said: "You have conducted yourself in a way which was entirely deceitful to those closest to you and taken advantage of people. You have had callous disregard for somebody else's property."

Marie Watton, prosecuting, outlined the catalogue of offences, which were committed between February last year and this month.

She said Walker's grandfather Eric discovered his chequebook had been stolen and cheques had been cashed.

Walker used one of them to pay for £79.97 worth of clothes in Worcester store Reefs. The cheque later bounced.

On another occasion, he stayed at the home of friend Jason Holmes, returning the favour by emptying his bank account of £170 after stealing his card.

Walker spent several days staying at Ye Olde Talbot Hotel in Friar Street, Worcester. He paid £279 with his grandfather's chequebook, but left an outstanding bill of £600.

After spending an evening at a Worcester restaurant, he stole friend Jennifer Brace's purse and tried to settle the bill using her bank card after sending her outside. When this failed, he told the party he had paid and left - but not before stealing £15 from Miss Brace and throwing her purse away. He spent the cash on drinks for the group.

Miss Watton, prosecuting, said Walker felt "guilty" about stealing from his friend and claimed he returned to look for her purse.

On another night he went to Bombay Palace in The Tything, Worcester, and left without paying.

Walker admitted stealing a bank card, a cheque book, four counts of making false representations, making off without payment and stealing a purse.

Nick Roberts, defending, said: "The issue with Jamie Walker is that the earlier offences took place when a promising Army career was disintegrating. He sought solace in alcohol."

Mr Roberts said Walker committed many of the offences to buy alcohol.

He said: "Since this happened he has referred himself to the community alcohol team."

Walker was ordered to repay £1,191 to his victims and also told to carry out 70 hours of community work.