Worksop: Man handed suspended sentence after stealing over £1k from his brother’s bank account

Daniel Watson, 27, of College Lane, pleaded guilty at Worksop Magistrates’ Court to a charge of theft.

The court heard that between 26th March 2012 and 17th March 2014, Watson made 73 transactions using Thomas Watson’s bank card totalling £1,086.76.

It was also said that Thomas suffers from short term memory loss and has dyslexia.

Prosecuting, Ruth Snowdin, said: “His mother believes that there is something wrong with Daniel because he convinces himself to believe his own lies.”

“The complainant was overdrawn but his mother thought that perhaps he was just getting confused.”

“The complainant and his mother went into the Natwest bank and then it became apparent. The complainants mother had a feeling that it was her other son.”

“He denied it but then later admitted it.”

“He offered to pay Thomas back £70 a week but then went back on his word to pay it back. The complainant and his mother then went to the police.”

The defendant was arrested on 29th June and it was said that Watson denied making the transactions.

A few days later Watson went back to the police station and admitted that he had made the transactions.

In mitigation, David Verity, said: “The family want to move on now. He is a man who has a lot of issues that need to be addressed. He has entered a guilty plea and has shown extreme remorse and is very sorry.”

An impact statement was read out in court by the prosecutor on behalf of Thomas. It said: “Throughout a lot of this I have suffered with stress. I am not vulnerable. I am dyslexic. We are a family suffering with stress.”

“Daniel had buried his head in the sand. We hope that he will learn his lesson. His actions have lost him his children and girlfriend. His relationship with us has been shattered.”

Sentencing Watson, the magistrates said: “We see this as a serious offence. This was a breach of trust over a long period of time and there were multiple, multiple transactions.”

Watson was handed a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 18 months supervision and must pay £300 compensation.