[A] SOUTH Cumbria thief who stole thousands of pounds from a man who offered him shelter has been jailed.
Steven Braithwaite, 28, was said to have been sleeping rough before being given a roof over his head by generous Graham Wilson. But having been entrusted with 68-year-old Mr Wilson’s credit card for everyday household provisions, Braithwaite splashed out on items for himself.
His criminal conduct, during a period of several months last year, occurred as Mr Wilson was bed-ridden due to ill health. Braithwaite used the card “at least 11 times”, Carlisle Crown Court heard, making purchases at Bargain Booze, KFC and Subway. He also made ATM withdrawals of up to £1,000 a time.
Having racked up a £5,611 debt, Braithwaite, c/o Well Ings, Kendal, then fraudulently authorised an online transfer in that same amount from his victim’s bank account to pay it off.
He was jailed for six months after pleading guilty to theft and fraud charges.
Recorder Philip Curran heard of Braithwaite’s own personal problems.
But Recorder Curran stated: “You abused the trust very badly by stealing that money.”
