A CARDIGAN man stole £1,400 from a sick pal’s bank account while she was in hospital recuperating from surgery, a court has heard.

Mark Harris, aged 57, of Felin Ban, raided the account of Victoria Jones between July 5 and 17, 2015, after she had been admitted into hospital in Cardiff for an operation.

Ms Jones had given Harris access to her accounts in case of an emergency while she was in hospital on the understanding he would contact her before making any withdrawals.

Instead, he withdrew cash on four separate days totalling £1,400.

Harris was the only person with access to Ms Jones’ account during her hospital stay.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, told Aberystwyth magistrates that Ms Jones considered Harris a trusted friend and that she had previously loaned him money to buy tobacco and other items.

She had also lent him £1,000 to put towards buying a new car he needed due to his restricted mobility, but she had received none of the agreed repayments.

Miss Tench said: “He admitted he had made withdrawals without her permission, and said he did not know where the money had gone.

“The complainant was in hospital at the time, and effectively the defendant took advantage of that.”

Alan Lewis, defending, said Harris had already repaid £200 to Ms Jones.

He said: “He made a full and frank admission.

“This offence has weighed over his head for 12 months now, through no fault of his own, because he admitted it straight away.

“He is very sorry for what he has done, he does not know why he did it.”

Mr Lewis said Harris suffered from mental health problems, physical difficulties and bereavement issues following the death of his wife two years ago, all of which needed to be addressed.

“Clearly he was in a difficult place, and he is still there in my opinion.”

Harris said he had intended to repay the money when he took it, and intended telling Ms Jones.

The bench heard Harris accepted he had broken the trust of a good friend, and he apologised for his actions.

He admitted theft.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs, a £60 victim surcharge and £1,200 compensation to Ms Jones.