A 34-YEAR-OLD Stourbridge man who gambled away nearly £70,000 after emptying his brother’s bank accounts has been jailed for 18 months.

David Cartwright looked after the finances of his elder brother Stephen, who had learning difficulties, and he stole £54,500, Wolverhampton Crown Court.

He also obtained a £13,000 loan and ran up a £2,000 credit card debt after fraudulently using his brother’s name to open the accounts - Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said.

Cartwright, of Marlbank Road, felt his brother was an “easy target” to help him clear his gambling debts, he told the court.

This is a case involving a high breach of trust because he had effectively been in control of his brother’s wallet and he “emptied it,” said Mr Jones.

Recorder Dean Kershaw told Cartwright it was clear he had been a regular visitor to gambling institutions adding: “It was the gambling that took a real hold of you.”

He added: “You were looking out for your brother. You knew he needed assistance to look after his finances. You knew he was a vulnerable person.

“I have no doubt that you love your brother and I do not think you intended to hurt him when you took over his finances. But after the death of your parents things spiralled out of control for you.”

He said Cartwright had stolen a “huge” amount of money his brother could not afford to lose but in a letter Stephen and their other brother Darren maintained they had forgiven him for his actions.

Cartwright admitted theft and two charges of fraud and was full of remorse for what he had done - the court heard.

Michael Grey, defending, said Cartwright accepted it was a “bad business” and he had started drinking and gambling after the death of both parents.

Mr Grey added: “This went on for a significant period of time."

The court was told the total amount of money involved in the charges was £69,754 and that was taken by Cartwright after he had been given his brother’s pin number and account details.

But he was rumbled when his sibling noticed he was no longer receiving bank statements and it was then discovered Cartwright had “emptied” four separate accounts.

He emptied one account and then moved on to another, said the prosecution, and after his arrest he revealed the money had been used for gambling.