A former bank manager stole thousands of pounds from a widow to fund his gambling debts.
Michael Roberts, 39, set up an ISA on behalf of Valerie McKelvie in March 2018. He then moved £20,000 into his own account in two transactions five months later. Roberts, from Oulton Close, Oxton worked as a bank manager at the Yorkshire Bank branch on Albert Road in Widnes.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how the victim had lost her husband two months before setting up the ISA and intended to surprise her daughter by leaving it as her inheritance. The victim questioned why she had not received documents relating to the ISA and visited a Virgin Money branch after the banks merged in St Helens on August 3, 2021, where she learnt with "great shock and stress" that £20,000 was missing.
READ MORE: Teens raped woman after watching her being refused entry into club
Judge Brian Cummings KC said that the Valarie McKelvie had "suffered the indignity of whether she had withdrew the money herself and forgot".
Henry Riding, prosecuting, said the victim had been "ill with worry, lost a stone in weight, could not sleep and started smoking again" after learning the news.
Jim Smith, defeding Roberts, said the defendant had since addressed his gambling addiction and become a "valued member" of his new employment. He also addressed the "harmful" impact jailing him would have on his two young children and wife.
Judge Brian Cummings KC said: "The fact is despite all the admirable work he has done to try and recover from his weakness of gambling, he did nothing to rectify it until four years later.
"It is the fact if it had not been discovered, the money would have been lost and her daughter would have been none the wiser."
The money was refunded in October 2021, plus lost interest and a £5,000 goodwill payment following an internal investigation.
Roberts appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, November 30 to be sentenced after pleading guilty to fraud by abuse of position. He was jailed for a total of three months with an additional 12 months on licence.
READ NEXT:
Man buys nine separate tickets for one train journey and saves £360
First picture of police officer accused of 'abusing position for sexual purposes'
Remorseless 'predator' saw teenager heading home from night out as 'easy target'
Floral tributes for man, 36, who died after falling from bridge
Find the coins hidden on the ECHO website for the chance to win a £200 voucher
