A 25-year-old man stole £1,800 from his stepfather after enjoying his hospitality.
Blackburn magistrates heard that Kirk James Black used the money to take a taxi and book into a hotel for the night.
And when he was arrested Black still had £1,765 of his stepfather's winnings from the horses left.
Black, of Peridot Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing a jacket and cash belonging to Tony Allan. He was remanded on bail for reports.
Scott Ainge, prosecuting, said Black was working in a restaurant and invited his step-father to join him there for a drink. They went back to Mr Allan's house where they played darts and had more drinks before Mr Allan went to bed.
"When he woke the following morning his jacket containing a mobile phone and a considerable amount of cash was missing," said Mr Ainge.
Michael Singleton, defending, his client insisted there was no ill-feeling between him and his stepfather.
"He says he gets on very well with his stepfather and they had enjoyed the evening at Papa Louigis where my client works as a chef," said Mr Singleton.
"After his stepfather had gone to bed he saw the jacket containing the cash which apparently was some winnings from a horse bet. It was inevitable that he would be the one suspected of taking the money."
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