AN Ellesmere Port man defrauded thousands of pounds from his 73-year-old mum while she was in hospital.

Roderick James Lewis, 46, of Sutton Way, Great Sutton, pleaded guilty to using his mum's bank card to gamble on online poker and buying items for himself.

Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday, October 25 the offence took place between May 15 and July 18, 2018.

Prosecuting, Rob Youds said a total of £6,220.19 was taken during that time.

His mum had been admitted to hospital with a broken hip and her bag and purse had been left at home.

It had been agreed Lewis could use money in there to pay for rent and to look after the dog at the house, but no access to the bank card.

But Lewis took the bank card to withdraw £200.

A new bank card was sent to the mum's address and Lewis spent more with it.

When Lewis's mum came back from hospital on July 16, she found her old bank card in the handbag but could not find the new one.

She found she was down on her bank account by about £6,000.

She had a phone call with Lewis where he said he was sorry for what he had done.

The mum said the offence had had an adverse effect on her health, finding it "extremely stressful" as the account was her life savings and, while the bank had reimbursed her, she had still had to pay overdraft fees.

In a victim impact statement, she added the offence had caused her "a lot of stress and anxiety."

Lewis's last conviction was in 2012 for actual bodily harm.

Defending, Stephen Ferns said Lewis had been able to reconcile with his mum in the months since the offence.

Lewis had been caring for her before it turned out she had to go to hospital and he had found it very hard, which meant he upped his alcohol intake and this exacerbated his issues.

His family were aware how distressed he had been and he said this would never happen again.

A probation officer said the case needed to be adjourned for a full report.

District Judge Nicholas Sanders said he would be leaving all options open, including custody, but acknowledged, Lewis had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to the offence.

The case was adjourned until November 14 at Chester Magistrates Court.