A ‘despicable’ thief who stole from his own grandmother has been jailed.

James Goodier, 20, withdrew more than £400 from her bank account to spend on cannabis, a court heard.

The theft meant the pensioner were unable to pay her heating bill, magistrates’ were told.

Goodier, who had been living with his grandmother, was offered the chance to repay her, but failed to make the first payment, the court heard.

His ‘shattered’ gran then went to the police, magistrates were told.

Goodier, of Fir Court, Kennedy Avenue, admitted theft at Macclesfield magistrates’ court on December 8 and was jailed for 24 weeks.

The theft also activated a 12-week suspended sentence Goodier received on July 7 for burglary.

His actions had ‘torn apart’ the family, the court heard.

Debbie Byrne, prosecuting, said: “On October 29 the complainant noticed her Santander debit card was missing and went to the bank to report it lost. She got a mini print out showing withdrawals. The only person with access to the card was the defendant. The result of the theft meant she had no money for her heating bill.”

In a victim impact statement read out in court his gran said she felt ‘violated, and very let down’, and ‘never wanted anything to do with him again’.

Ruth Oakes, defending, said Goodier was trying to get help for his cannabis addiction.

She said: “This is a very unpleasant offence. The daughter of the complainant is the mother of the defendant. This has caused bad feeling within the family. It has torn the family apart. His mother is standing by him. He has issues with cannabis and is seeking help. He approached his grandmother directly and apologised. It was originally agreed he would pay back his grandmother but he missed the first payment and she went to police. He regrets his actions and is remorseful that there has been a breakdown in the family that may never be mended.”

He was sentenced to an additional 12 weeks for the theft.

Peter Nash, chairman of the magistrates, said: “This is a despicable offence. You were living with your grandmother and stealing from her.

“She is now shattered by it.”

Goodier was also given a restraining order banning him from contacting her for two years.