A son has admitted stealing almost £72,000 from his elderly mother - when he was supposed to be looking after her interests.

At the magistrates' court in Carlisle this week, Colin Little, 49, admitted a single charge of stealing the money from Margaret Little between January 1, 2015 and August 31 last year.

A significant proportion of the cash taken from the victim was squandered on gambling, the court was told.

Little, who made a brief appearance before the city's Rickergate court this week, spoke only to confirm his name, address and to enter his guilty plea.

He will be sentenced in May by a crown court judge.

John Moran, outlining the case for the prosecution, told the court how Little, from Watson Street, Carlisle, had been granted power of attorney over his mother’s financial affairs after she suffered a fall.

The accident had rendered the pensioner vulnerable.

But despite the fall, Mrs Little still retained her full mental capacity, said Mr Moran. Mrs Little was adamant she did not give her son permission to use the money as he wished.

Mr Moran outlined how Little had claimed he was given permission to use the proceeds from the sale of a house belonging to Mrs Little as he saw fit.

He splashed out on a new kitchen and a holiday.

Substantial sums of the money that went missing were spent on gambling, the court was told.

Magistrates were told the total amount stolen was £71,669, and ruled the case was so serious that it will have to be dealt with by a circuit judge at Carlisle Crown Court.

A second defendant has denied an identical offence.

Little was granted conditional bail until the day of his next appearance at Carlisle Crown Court on May 8.

The bail conditions include a prohibition on him contacting in any his mother, either directly or indirectly.