A Tory campaigner is paying back money which he stole from two friends.
Robin Maggs stood as a Conservative candidate in local elections 16 years ago and backed Jacob Rees-Mogg for the North East Somerset seat in the last general election.
But temptation got the better of him when he gained access to his friend Timothy Farrell's flat in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, using a key he had been given.
He helped himself to around £1,000 to feed a gambling addiction, Bristol Crown Court heard.
And he also admitted ripping off friend Alex Kearney by using his bank card.
Maggs then wrote both men cheques which bounced, the court heard.
The 43-year-old, of Oakhill in Somerset, pleaded guilty to theft and fraud.
In February Judge Martin Piction deferred sentence until today (August 27, 2019).
Mr Farrell was compensated in the sum of £1,500 and Mr Kearney in the sum of £2,000.
The judge handed Maggs a six months prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with ten days' rehabilitation.
Earlier Hannah Squire, prosecuting, said Mr Farrell had given Maggs somewhere to stay, but Maggs stole money when Mr Farrell was away.
Mr Kearney offered to lend Maggs £100 and handed him his bank card and P.I.N, but Maggs spent £1,600 on shopping.
Alistair Haggerty, defending, said: "He is very ashamed.
"He regrets the friendships have been ruined.
"He was in throes of a compulsive gambling addiction.
"He told me he was confident he could pay the money back."
Mr Farrell told Bristol Live: "He was somebody I gave a roof over his head."
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