A 'despicable' former carer who spiralled into a cocaine addiction stole £4,700 from an autistic man he looked after to splash out on pornography, takeaways, van hire and video games.
Callous Jase Turner realised he still had his vulnerable victim's bank information even after he was no longer client, so fleeced him to buy drugs and pay off debts.
The calculating fraud was committed against a 36-year-old man who later heartbreakingly stated:"I thought he was my friend."
Hull Crown Court heard how the plundered cash led to the victim, who requires 24-hour care, losing a vital part of his independence.
Turner, 28, of Essex Street, Hull, pled guilty to fraud between July 2020 and March last year, Hull Live reports.
Turner, 28, of Essex Street, Hull, admitted fraud between July 2020 and March last year.
Michael Forrest, prosecuting, said that Turner was a carer for the man, who suffered from Asperger's syndrome and autism, and he helped him with online banking.
Turner left the organisation that provided the care in 2019 but, in 2020, he found his old notebook with the young man's bank details in it.
He began to use those details and there were 94 transactions totalling more than £4,000.
They included £7.20 for Only Fans pornography, £95 for a speeding penalty, £6.90 to Just Eat, £79.99 to PlayStation and £116 to Asda.
There had been payments of £100 and then six of £180 each for van hire through Foxy Rentals as well as £226 to pay for damage when the van was returned.
Police identified Turner because he had provided his driving licence for the van hire.
The bank had refunded £4,703 taken.
The victim later said that he had 24-hour care and Turner was a carer for him.
"I thought he was my friend," he said.
"We used to play games together. He made me happy. He used to make me laugh by saying 'Jase is on the case'.
"He also did my shopping during lockdown. I know that Jase Turner has taken advantage of me.
"I have lost that little bit of independence that I had. My dad looks after me constantly.
"He wouldn't worry about me if Jase Turner hadn't stolen my money.
"He has taken advantage of me and this has disadvantaged me."
Charlotte Baines, mitigating, said that Turner confessed to police what he did.
"He hasn't sought to minimise it and has shown a high degree of remorse and shame and embarrassment," said Miss Baines.
"He is completely disgusted with his behaviour and with himself. He doesn't seek to put forward excuses."
The fraud was "despicable" but happened after Turner built up debts after abusing cocaine more and more.
He lost his job, his home and his income so, when he came across the victim's bank details, he began to use them as though they were his own.
Turner had a difficult upbringing and his father was an alcoholic, who died when Turner was 12 or 13, and his mother was a drug addict, the court heard.
He had no previous convictions.
Turner was given a 10-month suspended prison sentence, 250 hours' unpaid work and 40 days' rehabilitation.
After the hearing, the victim's father, Les Mitchell, 68, of Hull, said: "I am not happy with the sentence he has given him because Jase Turner has stripped a level of independence away from my son.
"Jase Turner deserved to have a level of his independence taken away from him but, given the level of mitigation given, that sentence was to be expected.
"He said that he is sorry but the only thing that he is sorry about is that he got caught.
"He became a cocaine addict and says he weaned himself off that of his own accord. I find that difficult to believe, to be honest.
"If he had taken the money to buy essentials, such as food and drink, and I don't mean alcohol, that would be one thing but he bought things at B&Q, PlayStation games and pornography.
"He got fined for speeding and gave my son's details to pay the fine.
"Everything he has done he has done online. When you are purchasing items online, you don't have to produce your card, just your details.
"I want to say a big thank you to Foxy Rentals. They were the lead in setting up the investigation and charging him.
"My son has suffered at the hands of him for what he has done but he is not the only one. My son's sister, his brother and his mother have suffered."
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