Farhaan Shaikh, 27, drew £250 a day of William Evans' money from ATMs last July and used it to settle gambling debts, Gloucester crown court was told.

Shaikh, of Victoria street, Gloucester, who admitted defrauding Mr Evans of the money, was sentenced to do 150 hours of unpaid work and to pay his victim full compensation within fourteen days.

He was also ordered to undergo ten days of rehabilitation activities.

Judge Ian Lawrie QC had remanded Shaikh in custody in the court cells over the lunch period to give him a taste of what he could expect if he offends again or flouts the terms of his sentence.

"I hope you have had a very uncomfortable hour downstairs in a small cell," the judge told him. "The reason I did that is that gives you an idea what your future could have been if I were to punish you with imprisonment for this gross betrayal of trust.

"You took money from a vulnerable victim who was in your charge and care. "

But the judge said he had to take into account Shaikh's blameless and industrious life up until the time of his offending and he had decided jail was not necessary yet.

"You have shamed your parents and your family generally," he told him.

Prosecutor Catherine Flint said Mr Evans was living in supported accomodation in Cheltenham after suffering brain damage in a road accident in 2011.

A team of carers which included Shaikh were looking after him because he lacked mental capacity, specifically in relation to his financial affairs, she said.

Between 3rd and 19th July last year his bank debit card was missing and Shaikh was asked to organise for a new one to be sent. He said he had done that but one never arrived and when the team leader checked at the bank he found one had not been asked for.

Subsequently when a bank statement arrived Mr Evans was concerned about withdrawals from ATMs he had not been to and an investigation was launched.

Police checked CCTV near the ATMs at the time of the various withdrawals and Shaikh's car was seen nearby each time.

When he was arrested he provided a prepared statement admitting his guilt and referring to his gambling debts, said Ms Flint.

Nadeem Aullybocus, defending, said Shaikh was now in a position, thanks to his father, to compensate Mr Evans in full and could pay by Monday.

The judge said "That's my primary concern. I want this victim compensated as soon as possible."

Sentencing Shaikh, the judge asked him to read a victim impact statement from Mr Evans' daughter which set out the effect the fraud had on him and his family.

"I ask you to dwell on the victim impact statement from the daughter of the victim - it is a true expression of the hurt and harm you have caused," said Judge Lawrie.