A BLACKBURN man who stole almost £20,000 from his partially-sighted mother has been jailed for a year.

Preston Crown court was told Michael Holt spent the money on drink and his gambling addiction.

"Too much alcohol, bad judgement and slow horses seems to sum it up," his barrister said.

Holt, 44, of Oban Drive, appeared for sentence after admitting 12 charges.

He pleaded guilty to 11 charges of theft and one of obtaining by deception and asked for 17 other offences to be taken into consideration.

David Macro, prosecuting, said the defendant's mother Mary Gaughan was partially sighted in both eyes.

Money would be drawn weekly for living expenses, but Holt withdrew more money. The total amount involved was £19,860.

The deception charge involved Holt telling his mother he was entitled to £9,250, half the compensation she received following a fall on local authority steps when she had broken her arm.

Miss Judith McCullough, defending, described the case as extremely sad saying Holt had enjoyed a close relationship for many years with his mother.

He was disgusted with himself over the offences and wanted to go to prison.

Miss McCullough said Holt began to care for her in the mid-1990s, giving up his £250-a-week job and receiving a carer's allowance of £46 a week.

"The defendant was trying to recoup losses because of gambling, drinking more, spiralling into debt and taking more money from his mother's account," said Miss McCullough.

Judge Robert Brown said the offences involved a "gross breach of trust". "It was a tragic case, the victim being your mother," he said.