Worksop: Father-to-be gambled and drank away pregnant girlfriend’s housing benefit cheque

A Worksop man fraudulently cashed in a £364 cheque belonging to his pregnant girlfriend and spent it on a drinking and gambling session, a court heard.
In CourtIn Court
In Court

John Hinks, 43, of Queen’s Street, Worksop, admitted to fraud by false representation when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 12th March.

Prosecuting, James Whyley told the court that Hinks swiped the cheque, which was related to housing benefit, from his girlfriend who was pregnant at the time on Monday 23rd February.

Leaving her at home, Hinks fraudulently cashed in the cheque at Cashbrokers in Retford where he was known to staff.

In his defence, Hinks told magistrates that he wanted to take steps to address his drinking and gambling problem, and ‘wasn’t thinking clearly’ when he took the cheque.

His relationship with his partner broke down as a result of the offence.

In committing fraud, Hinks breached a conditional discharge that he was handed for theft back in October 2014, though this was not acted upon by the courts.

Magistrates imposed a community order of 12 months, in which Hinks will be required to participate in a ‘thinking skill’s programme.

Hinks was also ordered to pay compensation of £364.60 to his ex-partner.

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