A MOTHER’S forgiveness has helped to spare a son jail after he admitted stealing thousands of pounds from her.

When Daniel Holland moved out of his mother’s home, she agreed to pay rent and council tax on his flat in Bury for several months because he was out of work.

But Bolton Crown Court heard that, unknown to Kathryn Allen, he had also stolen her chequebook and forged her signature on nine occasions to steal a total of £11,380 from her bank account.

Brian Berlyne, prosecuting, told how Mrs Allen only discovered the money has been taken when she spotted her mortgage linked account was lower than expected.

Holland, 22, of St John’s Gardens, The Rock, Bury, had taken the money over a five-month period between December 7 and May 3.

Mr Berylne said at first Holland had cashed cheques, bearing his mother’s forged signature, for sums ranging from £280 to £800, but on the sixth occasion he obtained £3,000 and the last three cheques were made out for £2,000 each.

When confronted, Holland initially denied taking the money, but then admitted responsibility and was arrested on May 11.

Police found his mother’s chequebook and £1,570 in his flat and Holland pleaded guilty to fraud.

Mr Berlyne said Mrs Allen was “shocked when she first found out and describes herself as broken hearted”.

He added that the loss of the cash has affected Mrs Allen’s plans to take early retirement.

“But she says she does not want him (Holland) to become estranged from his family,” said Mr Berlyne.

Mrs Allen sat in the public gallery during the court hearing and Mark Friend, defending said Holland now understands the wrong he has done and has managed to find work.

Sentencing Holland, Judge Richard Gioserano was critical of him for taking his mother’s money.

“You somehow thought you had entitlement to do this,” he said. “These are serious offences. You know what you have done and I am hoping, as you stand there now, you know how mean it was.”

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.

“All that has saved you from having to serve that sentence is the attitude of your mother towards you which, in my opinion, you don’t deserve,” said the judge. “She still sees the good in you.”

In addition to the suspended prison sentence Holland will have to undertake 200 hours unpaid work, will be subject to a 9pm to 7am curfew for three months and must complete 60 days of rehabilitation activities.

A proceeds of crime hearing will be held in January in order to recover the stolen money from him.