A Ramsey man has been convicted of stealing from his girlfriend and his elderly neighbour.

Jamie Paul Stewart, of no fixed address, stole his partner’s bank card and spent £1,800 with it, then stole blank cheques from his neighbour’s house and made them payable to himself for £4,000 and £3,500.

The 41-year-old admitted three counts of burglary, two counts of fraud, and one of theft and was committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery for sentencing.

The court heard Stewart needed the money for gambling debts.

Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court Stewart was living with his partner at an address in Park Road in Ramsey at the time of the offences. The couple were living in the basement flat of a property with the elderly man and his daughter living above them.

Stewart admitted going into the man’s house between April 1 and May 22 and stealing £20 in loose change.

He also admitted returning to the house twice, on May 14 and 21, and taking two blank cheques which he then made payable to himself for £3,500 and £4,000.

Stewart paid the cheques into his account but the bank noticed the signature was forged. Stewart was arrested and admitted stealing the cheques in interview.

He also told officers he took £20 loose change and that he had stolen his partner’s bank card, using it to withdraw £1,800.

His partner said the withdrawal had been noticed by the bank and was being investigated. She said she had quizzed Stewart about it but he had denied any knowledge of it. Stewart is subject to a community service order imposed in February for a £4,671 benefit fraud.

Stewart will appear in the higher court on June 15. No bail application was made and he was remanded.