Undertaker stole dead man's bank card and took £750

Paul Warrington, 42, who worked for John Heath and Sons in Sheffield, stole the card after being called to collect the body of Graham Hillman, 49, in April last year.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that Warrington, from Nettleham Road, Woodseats, took Mr Hillman's Abbey National card and bank books while he was alone in his flat. Warrington pleaded guilty to theft and fraud and was jailed for eight months.

Judge Michael Murphy QC said the theft was a "despicable breach of trust" and added: "Undertakers are, for the most part, decent, honest and honourable people.

"When a person breaches the trust that the deceased and his relatives put in them, the public must know that appropriate sentences will be imposed."

Louise Stanley, Mr Hillman's daughter, said her father was "paranoid" about keeping his money safe, adding: "He would never spend. If he wanted something he would wait for three months and then get it."

Giving evidence, Warrington claimed he found the bank card "in the gutter" but didn't notice whose name was on it.

He said he saw a PIN number written on the card and decided to withdraw cash the next day.

First, he said, he tried to withdraw 100 but, noticing the PIN number worked, cancelled the transaction and chose 250 instead, taking a total of 750.

Andrew Kershaw, prosecuting, told the court that police later

discovered letters containing details of loan and credit card debts hidden in a road atlas in the boot of Warrington's car.

After the sentencing, Adam Heath, a partner at John Heath and Sons, said Warrington's actions were "totally isolated".

He added: "This was an individual acting alone. It's awful – he was a well-paid and successful funeral director. We don't know why he's done it, it's just crackers."

Mr Heath said he was "shocked and surprised" when Warrington was arrested, and that the firm dismissed him when the allegations came to light.