A man siphoned off more than £14,800 from his own step-granddad to fund his gambling addiction, a court heard. Sam Cox, 40, from Newport Square, Launceston, appeared before Truro Crown Court for sentence today (Friday, June 14) having pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud.
The court was told that between May 22, and June 7, 2023, he transferred a total of £14,870 from the bank account of his step-granddad, John Stephenson, into his own on 168 separate occasions after discovering Mr Stephenson’s bank details on a piece of paper in his house.
The fraud was only discovered when Mr Stephenson’s son Matthew, who has power of attorney over his father’s affairs, discovered the dozens and dozens of money transfers being made to Cox’s account.
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The court was told that Cox had been paid for legitimate work by his step-granddad and had even been given money when asked. But when in August Matthew Stephenson noticed the unusual and suspicious activity on his father’s bank account, he raised the alarm. The transactions were traced to two tablets linked to Cox who was then arrested.
Cox later made a full admission in police interview saying he had used the cash to pay off some debts and support a gambling habit. In a victim impact statement read out in court, Mr Stephenson said the fraud had led him to lose confidence and trust in his own step-grandson.
Recorder Simon Leven sentenced Cox to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to undertake 15 rehabilitation days, pay £150 costs and start repaying his victim at a rate of £40 a month.