A DRUG addict went on a spending spree with his vulnerable victim’s bank card in order to pay off his debts.

Wesley Straight spent more than two months working on a set of building works at the victim’s property in Clacton.

Growing to trust Straight, the victim, who suffers from mental health problems and struggles to leave the house, gave the 39-year-old his pin number and asked him on several occasions to take his card and buy items for the project.

However in July, Straight took the card without the owner’s permission, withdrew £400 in cash and spent £501.56 at offlicences and shops including Tesco, Co-op and One Stop.

At Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Straight, of Hayes Road, Clacton, admitted one count of theft and seven counts of fraud by false representation.

Philip Pearson, prosecuting, said: “The victim says an amount of cash and a card were removed from his bedroom.

“He says when he realised he contacted the bank and they provided information on the transactions.

“CCTV from the day shows the defendant’s movements and links him to the use of the card at these locations.”

Laura Austin, mitigating, said Straight was in a desperately bad financial situation around the time in question.

“It seems to be the case on two or three occasions there were no issues but in this instance the defendant was in some money difficulties,” she said.

“He has had on and off problems with class A drugs including crack cocaine for some time. He says he had debts to fulfill and he was in fear for his own safety.

“The defendant took the card and in the space of a few hours he takes some cash from an ATM and buys a number of items with the intention of selling them on.”

Ms Austin said her client had shown remorse since the incident.

She added: “He said afterwards he felt sick thinking about what he had done.”

Magistrates ordered Straight to complete 20 rehabilitation days, pay £951.46 in compensation and he will be subject to a curfew for 12 months.