Bristol

A gambling addict has been jailed for four years after borrowing nearly half a million pounds from a friend and then losing it all in casinos.

Sharon Knight, 45, took £454,000 from Anthony Jones, 62, claiming that she needed to pay off cars, college courses, tax bills and loan sharks. In fact, the care assistant used the money to fund her gambling addiction, which evolved from frittering money in penny arcades to placing large bets in casinos.

Knight pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to deception between 2000 and 2007. Judge Richard Bromilow said: “It seems to me that he [Mr Jones] was naive and could be described as foolish or even stupid but I am quite satisfied you must have been aware of his vulnerable position and preyed upon him for a long period of time.” The pair met after Mr Jones set up a falconry business based in Monmouthshire in the 1970s.

Julie Phillips, for the defence, said: “Unfortunately the addiction had got such a hold that she was ill.”

She added that her client was incredibly fond of Mr Jones and she kept gambling in search of a big win to pay him back, but she never did.

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