Latest Debt News
Gambling debts lead to devastation, anguish and jail
20/10/2005 10:29:00
A family were so distressed by their son's gambling addiction and resultant debts that they were forced to approach the police, the Gloucester Citizen reports.
Terry Cleasby, 53, took the action after his son Nicholas, 30, had run up debts of over £30,000, using credit cards set up in his parents' names. He was sentenced by Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday for 18 months, after he admitted multiple charges of theft, obtaining money transfers by deception and deception.
Mr Cleasby's mother, Pat, 50, said that whilst she was devastated to see her own son in jail, she hoped that it would be a warning to other gambling addicts. The couple had tried to get Nicholas psychiatric help for his depression, but it did not stop his spending.
She told the newspaper: "When he started to lose money he tried to win it back and it all went pearshaped - by that time he was hooked. He has always been such a good, honest boy, I was completely shocked when I found out. I would warn anyone who is gambling online to nip it in the bud quickly."
Judge John Foley, after sentencing Mr Cleasby, said: "You are now saddled with colossal debts. Overall your offending is so serious that it does cross the custody threshold and only an immediate custodial sentence of some length will suffice."
His father said that he hoped he would be now be able to get the assistance he needs.
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