Holbeach man stole hundreds from ‘friend’ he was living with

A Holbeach man stole money from a friend’s bank account after he had been entrusted with his debit car and PIN number, a court has been told.

Andrew Mason, 60, of Balmoral Way admitted committing fraud by false representation when he appeared before magistrates in Boston.

Prosecuting, Emma Cornell said the victim, Philip Smith, and Mason had been friends for four to five years and Mason had been lodging in his house since 2019.

She said that on August 13 last year, Mr Smith gave Mason his bank debit card and PIN number to buy some groceries as he felt unwell.

Ms Cornell said he returned with the shopping and returned the card but the following day Mr Smith received a text from his bank to say he had gone overdrawn.

A subsequent check revealed there had been four unauthorised withdrawals from his account totalling £330 over a two day period.

She said Mr Smith agreed with the police that if Mason repaid the money there would be no prosecution, but he only repaid £50, hence the court case.

Mason was fined £80 and ordered to pay £119 in court costs and charges as well as to pay Mr Smith compensation of £270.