A DRUG dealer has appeared in court after stealing £15,000 from his mum while she was in a home.

Paul Read of Sycamore Road, Worcester, appeared at Worcester Crown Court today.

The 55-year-old had already admitted supplying amphetamine (a class B drug) when he appeared at magistrates court and admitted two further counts when he appeared at crown – theft between November 1 and December 11 last year and possession of amphetamine between November 1 and December 11 last year.

The Worcester News previously reported how Read was arrested by police in New Street, Worcester, following a chase.

Michael Conry, prosecuting, said Read had stolen £15,000 from his mother, Maureen Read.

The theft happened after she had been taken to a convalescent home in December, the court heard.

Abigail Nixon applied to vary one of Read’s bail conditions so he could see his mother who was taken to a convalescent home in December.

Miss Nixon said: “He has not been able to have any contact with her. He lost his father in September and his mother is his only surviving parent. He accepts he took that money when she went into a home.

“He would like to see his mother again. The concern is she will die and he will receive a custodial sentence and not be able to have any contact with her.

“They were close family despite the offence.”

Judge Robert Juckes QC said she enjoyed protection at the home where she was living and added: “It’s difficult to see why there should be any objection to him visiting her.”

It is is understood she had been at a nursing home in Timberdine, Worcester but has since been moved to another in Malvern.

The judge said the nursing home where she was living should be notified of what had happened at the court.

He said: “I will renew his bail. The condition with regard to his mother will be lifted as of Monday of this week. That will give anyone who wishes to do so time to speak to the nursing home. You have had the good sense to plead guilty.”

He added that lifting the bail condition was ‘the fairest thing to do’ in the circumstances.

The case was also adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service.

A victim personal statement will also be prepared to assess the impact of Read's offending.

The next hearing will be on Friday, January 26 at Worcester Crown Court.