A gambling addict who burgled the home of his 89-year-old partially-sighted gran and stole £1,000 from her bank account had previously taken £100 from his children’s money boxes, a court heard on Friday.

Jailing him for three years, Judge Huw Rees at Caernarfon crown court said 26-year-old Liam Sheridan’s “shameful” behaviour should remain as a memory of how low he had stooped. “There’s very little purpose in wasting words on describing your despicable conduct,” the judge told him.

Prosecuting barrister Ryan Rothwell said Sheridan, of Victoria Road, Prestatyn, had almost emptied the bank account of his best friend Jake Mansfield after withdrawing £240 using the pal’s bank card. He’d stolen it while they were at a Rhyl pub.

He’d then gambled online with Bet 365.

Mr Rothwell said Sheridan had lived on-and-off at the home of Darren Hickman as he had been in a relationship with his daughter. But when the defendant moved out, he noted the details of a bank card and made 19 transactions totalling £3,755 into his online gambling account.

He’d been released under investigation by police but the same day burgled the Hickman’s home at Prestatyn and took £100 from his own two children’s money boxes, saved for a holiday. The prosecutor said six weeks later he returned and burgled the house for a second time while the family were away on the holiday, stealing £1,000 from a safe.

Again, he was freed for inquiries by police. But Mr Rothwell said Sheridan took advantage of his mother’s charity and used her credit card details to deposit £2,517 with Sky Bet in a series of transactions.

Last month Sheridan’s grandmother was awoken just before 2am by a bang and drawers had been rifled through in a burglary. She didn’t recognise her grandson as he hid behind a settee, concealing his face with a hoodie.

Counsel said £30 was taken from her handbag and a bank card. But £1,000 had been transferred to his Sky Bet account.

Sheridan admitted three burglaries, theft and fraud. His family were said to still love him and wanted him to get help.

Simon Rogers, defending, said Sheridan wished to apologise for the mean offences during the last twelve months. Until December 2017 he had no previous conviction, but his life had “spiralled out of control.” He hoped to go on a residential gambling addiction course when released from prison.

Judge Rees said Sheridan had received a community order in July for assaulting his ex-partner. “You totally failed to show any commitment under the order,” the judge commented. He added that the thefts were committed “to fund your selfish addiction to gambling."