A MAN who helped himself to almost £1,000 out of his father s bank account escaped a jail sentence this week – because he has started to sort out his drug problem. Robert Seymour – who forged his dad s signature on cheques and paid the money into his own

A MAN who helped himself to almost £1,000 out of his father's bank account escaped a jail sentence this week - because he has started to sort out his drug problem.

Robert Seymour - who forged his dad's signature on cheques and paid the money into his own account - has voluntarily referred himself to a drugs agency.

"He has been working very hard to change, when he was in Ely he had a significant drug problem," solicitor Christina Metcalfe told city magistrates.

"He has made a lot of effort. He knows he faces custody today, but jail would undo all the good work he has done."

At an earlier hearing, 36-year-old Seymour had admitted fraudulently obtaining £920. He also asked for the theft of a 36-inch television and video from Hereward Housing to be taken into consideration, and admitted breaching a community order imposed back in October for an offence of assault.

Prosecuting, Olivia Gooding said Seymour stayed with his father Michael Seymour between mid January and mid February, while waiting for social housing.

"His father came home to find a note from the defendant, saying he had gone out," she said.

"The following morning his father checked his account on the internet, and discovered some unauthorised transactions, and his cheque book was missing. Five cheques had been taken, three had been presented at the Ely branch of Lloyds TSB, one at Newmarket, and one had not been accounted for. The money has since been returned to the account."

Seymour was given a new 18-month community order, with supervision, and a drug rehabilitation requirement.

""You have been given opportunities to correct things and it appears you are making an effort, that is why we are not going down the custodial route," said Bryant Watson, presiding. "We have pulled back from a custodial sentence, and are putting you on trust.