A GAMBLING addict cashed cheques for thousands of pounds stolen from an accountant he had befriended, the High Court in Belfast heard yesterday.
Michael Smyth (28) also tried to lodge another £3,000 (€3,438) cheque at an Ulster Bank branch in Belfast city centre before fleeing when staff discovered his account was locked, prosecutors said.
Mr Smyth, of Whiterock Drive, Ardglass, Co Down, faces charges of theft, fraud and attempted fraud by false representations.
Crown barrister Kate McKay said he was arrested by police in Belfast on August 27th after going into two separate banks.
“The background is that he befriended this injured party, who is an accountant by profession, and over the period of a week he asked him for the lend of money,” she said.
After modest requests for £20-£30, the sum of £4,200 was “somewhat foolishly” loaned out to Mr Smyth, the court heard.
According to Ms McKay, a number of cheques were also stolen from the accountant.
Two of them, for £2,000 and £3,000 were cashed, it was claimed. Mr Smyth’s barrister argued that that money had been handed over to the accused without any complaint of threats being made.
The lawyer also disclosed: “This is just a gambling addiction of a young person who needs help.”
Mr Smyth was said to have attended Gamblers Anonymous in a bid to ease his compulsion.
His application for bail was refused due to the risk of further offences.
The judge, Lord Justice Higgins, said the threat was underlined by the gambling addiction he is currently struggling to control.