A MAN with dementia was defrauded out of more than £300, a court heard.

Sean Cull, 52, of Westfield House, Manningham Lane, appeared before Bradford Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced for his crime.

The court heard Cull, who has 28 previous convictions, knew the victim, a vulnerable elderly man, through his late partner who was the man's niece and primary carer.

Cull, on occasion, would assist with shopping.

When his partner died on October 11, 2017, Cull's offending began, when he transferred sums of money from the man's account into his own.

He also made internet purchases using his debit cards. The amount taken was just over £326.

The offending, which lasted until August last year, came to light when the man's social worker saw there had been an issue.

Cull, the sole carer for his mother, was interviewed and made a full and frank admission, saying he was on the dole, desperate and didn't know what else to do.

Bradford Crown Court heard he bought relatively small items, which were not for extravagance, but for means of his day to day life, and the offending was committed as a result of a distressing set of circumstances. He pleaded guilty to three charges of fraud by false representation at the lower court.

Cull was handed an eight-month sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He must also carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation to his victim within 28 days.