A greedy son stole thousands of pounds from his late father’s estate then swiped more cash from his ill mother behind her back.

Trevor Coles pocketed more than £33,000... which he then blew on cameras and computer equipment during a “frenzied spening spree.”

But Coles, of King Street, Ramsgate, managed to escape going to prison because he is a carer for his disabled wife.

His lawyer, Kerry Waitt had told Canterbury Crown Court that caring for an invalid shouldn’t be “a get out of prison free” card.

But he persuaded the judge, Recorder Colin Reese QC, to suspend a two year jail sentence for two years.

Crooked Coles – who admitted two theft charges – has now been ordered to remain at his home between 8 pm and 6 am for the next eight months and be electronically tagged.

“Your two victims were your late father and mother, who suffers from anxiety and psychotic depression. You betrayed their trust when you accessed your parents’ money to go on a frenzied spending spree"- Recorder Colin Reese QC

Prosecutor Kieran Brand told that after the death of her husband Derek, Mrs Marion Coles, who is in her late 70s, was a resident at the Hockeredge Care Centre in Westgate on Sea.

He said that because she was suffering from anxiety and psychosis, her 48 year old son was given cards so he could help her with paying for things.

Instead, Coles helped himself to cash each day which he spent on cameras and computers, as well as an electric chair for his wife.

Mr Brand said he had also been given £12,000 to help pay for his late father’s funeral but had pocketed part of it.

“After paying for the funeral and other expenses, which amounted to between £4000 and £5000 he should have returned the remainder to his mother but he didn’t.

“He didn’t have his mother’s permission to spend the money and she had no idea he had spent it.

The prosecutor said that when police began investigating the widow’s bank accounts, one which should have had £9000..had just £300 left.

And a second which had contained £16,000, now just had £800 – the money being spent on the electronic equipment and hotel stays.

Mr Waitt told the court that Coles’s wife had “blown the whistle” on him which had led to the investigation.

“He just seemed incapable of managing the finances and used the money in paying the household bills. This is a most tragic case, not one born out of greed in order to live the high life, but caused by the inability to manage his money and he is ashamed” - Kerry Waitt, for Coles

He added: “I am not seeking to diminish this breach of trust and it forms no part of this case but in helping himself to his mother’s money that he did not believe he was taking his inheritance.

“He was simply incapable of managing his own finances. There is no suggestion the money has been used on drink or drugs of him living the high life.

“He just seemed incapable of managing the finances and used the money in paying the household bills.

"This is a most tragic case, not one born out of greed in order to live the high life, but caused by the inability to manage his money and he is ashamed.”

The judge told Coles that he had taken £8359.59 from his father’s estate between November 6 and December 31 2013 and then another £25,000 from his mother between February 3 and May 26 last year.

“Your two victims were your late father and mother, who suffers from anxiety and psychotic depression. You betrayed their trust when you accessed your parents’ money to go on a frenzied spending spree.

“You withdrew money – almost on a daily basis – until the money had all but gone.”

He said Coles had used the cash impulsively “and fecklessly” adding: “It was only as a result of a conversation your wife had with an organisation that she was in contact with that these matters came to light.”

But the judge told him he would be spared an immediate jail sentence because he was caring for his wife.

“If I sent you immediately into custody, it would result in other carers having to be provided for your wife and I think she would prefer to be cared by you.”