THE GRANDMOTHER of gambling addict Richard Mizon has not forgiven him for stealing hundreds of pounds from her bank account.

Slot-machine addict Mizon (pictured) was told to pay Marjorie Brown back every penny he stole by a court on Thursday.

Magistrates in Trowbridge were told Mrs Brown has still not come to terms with her 21-year-old grandson's crimes, committed while she was visiting relatives in Australia.

Mizon withdrew hundreds of pounds from Mrs Brown's bank account after finding her cash card in a handbag which had been hidden behind a sofa at her home.

The thefts were unmasked when Mizon's father Francis found the Lloyds cash card in his son's wallet.

Prosecutor Michelle Hewitt said Mizon made 16 withdrawals at west Wiltshire cash points between September 16 and October 31.

A total of £370 was taken, all of which was used to pay off debts on credit cards and loans run up through gambling.

Interviewed by police, Mizon said he stole the card from the handbag two days after his gran left Wiltshire for Australia.

Mrs Hewitt said: "He didn't apologise to his grandmother. At that time he had made no attempt to pay her back any of the money."

Defence solicitor Ann Ellery said the unmasking of Mizon's crimes resulted in a reduction in shifts at work and embarrassment within his family.

A reconciliation attempt with Mrs Brown was made through his father Francis but the furious pensioner is still not ready to speak to her grandson.

Miss Ellery said: "He has made the attempt to send over the right message to his grandmother.

"He is very ashamed of what happened.

"It has had a knock-on effect with his ability to earn and his social life."

Since his arrest Mizon has been to Gamblers Anonymous sessions in Bristol in a bid to kick the spiralling habit.

Magistrates ordered Mizon, who pleaded guilty to a charge of theft, to complete an 18-month community rehabilitation order and pay £370 compensation to his grandmother, in addition to £118 costs.

Several big-name celebrities have confessed to having gambling addictions in recent months.

Idol Robbie Williams, Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen and England favourite Michael Owen have all run up debts through various forms of gambling.