A GAMBLING addict who stole more than £3,000 from his parents' bank account to fund his habit has walked free from court.

Michael Webster's dishonesty was discovered when his mother received a statement and realised there were 32 unexplained transactions.

The 41-year-old admitted he was responsible when challenged, and later confessed to police when he was questioned.

Judge Michael Taylor branded the thefts mean and petty and imposed a community order with unpaid work and supervision.

He told unemployed Webster, of Hartington Road, Stockton: "The prisons can do without people like you in them."

Teesside Crown Court heard how Webster's parents had hoped to treat themselves with some of their savings.

In a statement, his mother said they did not now have enough money to meet their day-to-day commitments.

Duncan McReddie, in mitigation, saidWebstermade full admissions when interviewed, and apologised for his actions.

MrMcReddie said: "At the time of emotional difficulty or turmoil, he resorts to gambling.

"It was always his intention - as it always is in these cases - that when the big win came along, he would pay it back, but, of course, the big win never came.

"Mr Webster has a proper degree of insight into his own problems and is willing to comply with any regime the Probation Service subject him to."

Judge Taylor imposed 120 hours of unpaid work and 18 months of probation supervision.

He told Webster, who admitted a charge of theft: "You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself and I am not sure where that leaves your relationship with your parents."

Jacqueline Edwards, prosecuting, said Mrs Webster first noticed her bank card was missing after a shopping trip on April 16.

She told her son she thought she had lost it, and after leaving the room, he returned with it and said he had found it in a bag.

Days later, when she visited the bank and asked for a statement, it emerged £3,150 had been taken out over the previous four months.