IPSWICH: A man who stole more than �6,000 from his ill grandmother has been told he could face prison.

Alistair Brown, 32, stole a total of �6,149 from 85-year-old Lillian Stannard between February 27, 2009 and February 5 this year.

Brown, a former tree surgeon, of Alston Road, Ipswich, appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to theft.

The court heard that Mrs Stannard lived in a care home and suffered from dementia.

Stephen Colman, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was given third party access to Mrs Stannard’s bank account meaning he could withdraw money from it.

“Her care home called her family in relation to bills for the care that she had received.

“They found that her account was lower than was thought and it was discovered that �6,149 was missing.

“The defendant told police in an interview that he had become unemployed and had borrowed the money to pay his bills.

“However, he admitted that he could not pay it back.”

District Judge David Cooper told Brown that the maximum sentence he could get was 18 weeks in custody.

Brown was released on unconditional bail to appear at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on July 7.