A MAN grinned after being told he had been found guilty of using his uncle's bank card fraudulently.
Oliver Brighton had been put in charge of the bank card but then used it to withdraw £300 when he was not authorised to do so.
Colin Phillips, prosecuting, told the magistrates Brighton committed the offence on February 22 this year.
The 20-year-old, of Chestnut Walk, Worcester, denied the charge.
Chairman of the magistrates bench Kevin Lloyd-Wright said they had found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Explaining the verdict, Mr Lloyd-Wright said they had found Brighton had been authorised to withdraw £60.
But, he said, Brighton used the card to make two further withdrawals of £50 and one of £200 in cash.
Mr Phillips pointed out an aggravating factor was Brighton's previous convictions, which included handling stolen goods.
The prosecutor also read out Mr Ross' victim personal statement.
In it, Mr Ross said: "I was stressed about it, whether it would happen again.
"At the time I didn't have any cash at all - I was borrowing money."
Mr Ross sat at the back of court during sentence and confirmed he had been out of pocket by £300, as neither Brighton nor the bank returned the money.
Brighton was found guilty of fraud by false representation.
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John Rogers, defending, said magistrates' "hands were tied" with sentencing as they had a choice of jail or a financial penalty.
Mr Rogers said this was due to Brighton facing a jail sentence for three charges of drug possession with intent to supply in an unrelated case.
Mr Rogers added: "He is not looking at being released (from custody) in the near future."
Sentencing him, Mr Lloyd-Wright said they had found Brighton's crime had been an "abuse of trust" of Mr Ross who is a vulnerable person.
"The offence is so serious, only a custodial sentenced is justified," he added.
Brighton was jailed for 12 weeks and was given a year to pay £300 compensation to his uncle.
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Brighton said: "How am I meant to pay while I'm in custody?" the chairman replying he would now have time to consider that as he told the dock officers to take him away.
- As previously reported Brighton has denied robbery and possession of a bladed item in Stalls Farm Road, Droitwich, on March 20 this year.
Brighton is set to next appear at Worcester Crown Court on December 19.
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