A MAN who raided his girlfriend's bank account to pay gambling debts is hoping to regain her trust, a court heard.

Bolton magistrates heard how 20-year-old Peter Horan withdrew £300 from Holly Hosken's bank account without her permission and then transferred a further £205.76 into his Paypal account.

Nicola Ormerod, prosecuting, told how Horan was at Miss Hosken's home in January this year when she gave him her bank card and PIN in order for him to buy £18 of groceries.

But he did not return her card to her and later, when she went to her parents' house, she noticed £300 was missing from her bank account.

She cancelled her Lloyds Bank card and the next day she went to the bank with her father.

They discovered that the money had been withdrawn from a cash machine and a further £205.76 had been transferred to a Paypal account which was registered at Horan's address.

Police were contacted and arrested Horan, of Henry Lee Street, Daubhill, who admitted fraud and theft.

At the time he was also subject to a conditional discharge for a shoplifting offence and has previous convictions for burglary and theft.

In a statement read out in court Miss Hosken said: "I just feel let down after being with someone for so long. I trusted him."

Darin Millar, defending, told the magistrates that Horan has mental health, drug and alcohol issues, is not able to have his own bank account and so has his benefits paid into Miss Hosken's account.

"They were both using the account as couples do," he said.

He added that he used some of the cash he stole to pay gambling debts and the rest to sort out an issue he had with an eBay item.

Mr Millar stressed that, had Horan discussed his need for the cash with Miss Hosken, the criminal charges may have been avoided.

"This young man, who has been together with his girlfriend for three and a half happy years is bitterly disappointed with himself for behaving in this way," said Mr Millar.

"He intends to make good in regaining her trust."

The court heard that the bank has refunded Miss Hosken's stolen money.

Magistrates ordered that Horan be electronically tagged for 10 weeks and subject to a 7pm to 7am curfew as part of a community sentence.

He must also undertake 25 days of rehabilitation activity and pay £145 in costs and charges.