A MAN stole more than £7,000 from his own grandmother to help combat his self-esteem issues, a court has heard.

Jarrod Lee Matthews, 23, admitted fraudulently taking £7,445 between April and August last year when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Prosecutor Nicola Ritchie said Matthews, of Belmont, Hereford, was arrested on August 8 last year after it was noticed that money had been transferred from "heartbroken" 72-year-old grandmother Kathleen’s account to his own.

Emma Thorne, for Matthews, said he fully admitted committing the "entirely shameful act", but that he had not intended to steal from his grandmother.

“He thought the money belonged to his mother as they all used that computer,” she said.

“He was on the computer when he realised that these account details were still on it. He set up a mandate and made 10 transactions from that account.

“He was trying to impress his girlfriend and to make himself feel better. The money was frittered away and lost entirely, but he wants to pay it back.”

In a statement, Mrs Matthews said: “I do not know how my grandson could steal this money from me. I want him to understand what he did was wrong.”

The court heard Matthews had mental health and self-esteem issues, and had undergone corrective cosmetic surgery as a result.

Magistrates said it was a shameful, despicable offence that had been planned.

Matthews was given a 16-week sentence, suspended for 12 months, a 12-month community order, 180 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must pay £7,445 to his grandmother and an £85 victim surcharge.