A CHIP shop worker who stole his grandmother’s cheque book while she was at a funeral and made himself £760, could be locked up.

Shane Michael Whittaker, 22, had told Maureen Scott he had a job interview, but took the opportunity to break into her filing cupboard.

Whittaker, who has a criminal record for various offences, claimed he owed a drugs debt, Burnley Magistrates heard.

The defendant, who worked at Harry Ramsdens in Blackpool, admitted theft of the book in Colne, on April 8, five counts of fraud by false representation, between April 14 and May 16 and theft from Barclays Bank in Colne and Blackpool, on or between May 14 and 15.

Whittaker, formerly of Talbot Street, Colne, and now of New South Promenade, Blackpool, was bailed until September 12, for a pre-sentence report.

The bench told him the offences were very, very serious and a breach of trust.

The chairman said: “Grandmothers these days have limited income.”

Alex Mann, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was supposed to be going to the funeral with his grandmother, but he told her he had a job interview and she said that was more important.

When she got home she found her filing cupboard had been broken into.

The defendant had a record, including an offence of theft from his employer, which was also a breach of trust.

Lee Hammond, for Whittaker, said he was deeply remorseful for his actions and deeply ashamed to be in court.

The defendant had seen an easy opportunity to make money to pay off a drugs debt.

Mr Hammond said Whittaker, who worked full-time, had tried to move on, but still felt shame.