A MOTHER and son betrayed the trust of a blind former neighbour by stealing nearly £1,500 from his bank account.

Bolton magistrates heard how Anita Bragan, aged 48, and James Bragan, aged 23, exploited their friendship with Shaun O'Connor and used his internet banking login details to make 59 cash transfers into their own accounts.

The pair, of Berne Avenue, Horwich, were fined after each admitted money laundering.

Chairman of the bench Christopher Hallett told them: "Neither of you have apologised to Mr O'Connor, a vulnerable victim you took advantage of.

"He asked for your help and you betrayed him."

Steve Woodman, prosecuting, told the court that Mr O'Connor is blind in one eye and partially blind in the other. He suffers from anxiety and depression and needs a carer.

The Bragan family became friends with him when they lived in Johnson Fold.

Even after he moved to Huddersfield in West Yorkshire in 2011 the relationship continued and he returned to Bolton most weekends to visit his acquaintances.

Mr Woodman said: "In early 2016 Shaun O'Connor was discussing concerns regarding internet banking and as a result James Bragan persuaded Mr O'Connor to make a new internet banking facility."

In February James Bragan accompanied Mr O'Connor to the TSB bank in Horwich to set up internet banking, but Mr O'Connor did not know his login details, which were left with Bragan.

Four months later Mr O'Connor became suspicious when he found his bank balance was substantially lower than expected.

Investigations revealed that between February and June 59 internet bank transfers, amounting to £1,468 had been made into Anita Bragan's bank account.

Funds were then forwarded to James Bragan.

The court heard that the TSB has refunded £1,200 to the victim.

Bragan, defending himself, said he was a full-time carer for his father who had suffered two strokes and was blind in both eyes and was a carer for his mother, who uses a wheelchair.

James and Anita Bragan were each fined £100 and ordered to pay TSB £600 compensation, £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

James Bragan must also pay Mr O'Connor £132 compensation and Anita Bragan was told to hand over £131.

Mr Woodman told the court: "This is a very serious matter and a breach of trust of a gentleman who thought he was a friend of theirs."