A MAN who stole £500 from a 72-year-old friend after gaining his trust has been told he may face jail.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Terrence Edward Brindle took five cheques belonging to Cuthbert Caterall during one of his daily visits to his home.

He made them out for £100 and paid them into his own bank account.

Brindle, 48, of William Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to five charges of theft on dates between December 8 2002 and April 4 2003.

He was bailed until February 11 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports with and indication that all options including custody should be considered.

Charlotte Crane, prosecuting, said the circumstances of the thefts were "distasteful."

She said Mr Caterall and Brindle met at a working men's club and had been friends for about two years.

"The defendant would pop in to see Mr Caterall on an almost daily basis to check if he was OK," said Miss Crane.

She said that on May 19, Mr Caterall went to the bank to withdraw his pension and was shocked to be told he had insufficient funds.

When he was interviewed by police, Brindle admitted stealing five cheques and using the money to pay off debts.

"Mr Caterall trusted him and says Brindle was the only person he would trust in his home unsupervised," said Miss Crane. "Brindle, in return took advantage of his circumstances."

Clare Knight, defending, said he client was very sorry about what had happened.

"He realises how seriously these matters will be viewed by the court," said Miss Knight.

She said the thefts had not been sophisticated and detection was inevitable.

"The cheques were made out in his name and he knew they would be traced back to him," said Miss Knight.

She said her client had borrowed money from a source other than a bank and was having to repay it at very high interest rates.

"He got himself into a difficult situation which he couldn't see himself getting out of," said Miss Knight. "It is conceded that there has been a breach of trust."