A MAN who helped his brother-in-law buy some items on the internet later used his relative’s card details to set up an online gaming account.

Blackburn magistrates heard David Garth ran up a debt of over £2,000 before his brother-in-law realised his account was being drained.

Garth, 44, of Lord Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

He also pleaded guilty to producing cannabis, assaulting a special constable by spitting on him and damaging a police station cell by smearing the walls with excrement.

He was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced on January 21.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said the brother-in-law had allowed Garth to move into his house.

At some stage he asked for his help in buying some items on-line because he was not very computer literate.

“He believes this was when the defendant got his card details,” said Mrs Yates.

Shortly after Garth admitted using the card to buy a TV but he reimbursed his brother-in-law with the money.

“He later went missing for two days during which time he set up a betting account with Paddy Power and ran up a bill for £2,090,” said Mrs Yates.

She said the other offences occurred after the ambulance service contacted the police. Garth had contacted them because he was having breathing difficulties but then behaved aggressively towards the ambulance staff.

“He became more aggressive when police escorted him out of the house but not before they had discovered a cannabis-growing set-up in a bedroom,” said Mrs Yates.

At the police station Garth was constantly headbutting his cell door and when the special constable went into the cell he was spat on. The damage to the cell required specialist cleaning.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client described himself as a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ character.

“The hope was that the bet would come in, the money could be repaid and his brother-in-law would know nothing about it,” said Mr Price. “Unfortunately that isn’t how it happened and he ended up chasing his losses.”

He said Garth had been attending Inspire, the drink and drugs support agency, of his own accord and was hopeful of a place on a residential rehabilitation programme in January.

“He hopes that will deal with the issues that have blighted his life for some time,” added Mr Price.