A gambling addict who fleeced his dementia-suffering mother out of almost £90,000 by secretly releasing equity from her home has been jailed for two years.

Glyn Blaber had joint power of attorney with his brother but managed to persuade the equity release company to hand over the money with just his signature.

The company has returned the cash and will now get some compensation from Blaber.

The 55-year-old former hairdresser and dock worker frittered away the money - obtained in five separate amounts - on roulette wheels.

A judge told him: “You were caught, as you were bound to be in due course, because gamblers never come out on the winning side - and you now face the consequences.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard Blaber’s mother Pauline had late-stage dementia and needed to go into a care home.

It was when her finances were reviewed that Blaber, of White Road, Chatham, admitted his dishonesty over three years to his brother and sister.

“He had taken out five equity release loans on his mother’s home and spent the money,” said prosecutor Trevor Wright.

“On the signature simply of this defendant the money was released under the equity release scheme without the knowledge of his brother or contact being made with him.

“This was clearly a complete failure in due diligence of the equity release.

“The £89,000 has been returned to the family by the company because they acknowledge they failed in their duty of due diligence.”

Mr Wright said Blaber, who admitted five fraud charges, also spent his mother’s savings. She has since died.

Danny Moore, defending, said Blaber expected to inherit about £30,000 from his mother’s will and he wanted to compensate the actual losers.

Blaber became the main carer for his mother in 2009. He was also carer for his partner, who suffers from a muscle wasting condition.

“He had a substantial gambling problem,” said Mr Moore. “The first amount of money released was £30,000. Like most gamblers he thought he would win money with it.

“Of course, he lost the money. He released more money and he gambled it in order to get back the money he lost. It all went.

“It has gone to the bookmakers. In fact, it is roulette machines that were his particular problem.”

Mr Moore said Blaber had sought help for his addiction from an organisation called Breaking Even.

He added: “He was always going to be caught. His attitude is one of great shame. His brother and sister are very angry and have no contact with him.

“His brother is a military man, a proud man.”

Judge Jeremy Carey told Blaber he was in a high position of trust both as a son and a holder of power of attorney.

"Like most gamblers he thought he would win money" - Judge Jeremy Carey

“You defrauded an equity release company, seemingly with the greatest of ease, that they could release a total of £89,000,” he said.

“You have been a hard-working man which counts for something, but it doesn’t count enough for you to be free under a non-custodial penalty.”

A confiscation hearing will be held in February next year.

Speaking after the case, his sister and brother, Janet Primett and Paul Blaber said they wanted nothing more to do with their sibling. Speaking on behalf of both of them, Mrs Primett said: "It is so sad that someone who was loved and trusted betrayed his mother and her family so badly."Nothing can compensate for the pain and suffering his actions have caused us."