A gambling addict stole more than £90,000 from his elderly neighbour to fund his addiction.

Jeffrey Foster, 44, from Burnley, stole the money from his next door neighbour, 80-year-old Stuart Liversedge, over a period of around two months, between May and July 2023.

Preston Crown Court heard how Foster used Mr Liversedge's details to create an online banking account - something Mr Liversedge did not know about or consent to as he did not know how online banking worked.

Foster initially took out a large sum and transferred it to his account before regular payments of around £500 were transferred over the course of the offending.

Mr Liversedge only became aware something was wrong when he went to the Santander branch in Burnley to withdraw money and was unable to because his account was empty.

Police were contacted at that point.

Geoff Lowe, prosecuting, said the pair had known each other for around 10 years having lived next door to each other.

He said Foster would regularly help Mr Liversedge by taking him to hospital appointments and regularly checking on him.

Mr Liversedge had also lent Foster around £5,000 in the past to help with medical expenses.

Mr Lowe added that Foster's mother did have lawful access to Mr Liversedge's bank account so she could assist him with withdrawing money when needed.

Foster was arrested in January and made full admissions to what he had done.

In court, he was convicted at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on August 8 on one count of fraud by false representation.

Mr Lowe said the offence involved "significant planning" and that he only stopped when the money ran out.

In a statement, Mr Liversedge said he felt "sad, disappointed, mad, and betrayed."

He added: "I trusted Jeff and relied solely on him helping me out. He betrayed my trust and took my money which I worked all my life for.

"I try to not remember or think about what happened to me."

The court also heard Mr Liversedge has since moved into a care home due to health issues and the money has been reimbursed by the bank, but there was no evidence to support that.

Judge Andrew Jeffries said he needed that evidence in order to decide on a suitable sentence for Foster, but with the officer in charge of the case being away, this could not be found.

The judge therefore adjourned sentencing for Foster until Wednesday, September 25, at 10am.

Foster, of Kensington Place, who was previously on bail, was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing next week.