A HAMPSHIRE man who stole £13,000 from his own grandfather has walked free from court after being spared an immediate prison sentence.

Desperate to fund his drink and gambling habits, Lee Roling took the cash from the family’s fish and chip shop – almost causing the business to collapse.

After initially stealing £4,000 from a safe, Roling was given a chance by his family to repay the money.

But police were called a few months later after the light-fingered employee helped himself to a further £9,000, Southampton Crown Court was told.

James Kellam, prosecuting, said the thefts endangered the survival of the shop as well as causing a family split.

He quoted part of a victim impact statement in which the defendant’s grandfather, David Barrett, said: “If I’d had to close the business it would have broken my heart.

“Lee is and always will be my grandson but I’m feeling very upset and shocked.

“I’m ashamed of him – how could he do this to one of his own? The stress and heartbreak this has put me under is severe.”

Roling, 26, of Desborough Road, Eastleigh, admitted two counts of stealing cash from Davids Fish Bar in Chandler’s Ford.

He had worked in the shop since he was 12 and was full of remorse for what he had done, the court heard.

Richard Martin, in mitigation, said: “He’s acutely aware of the distress he has caused his family. He has messed up very badly. He has lost his job and he has split his family up.

“He wants to try to put this behind him and rebuild his family relationships.

“The defendant has done all that could be expected of him by admitting his guilt and trying to get help for his various problems.”

Mr Martin stressed that the shop had “pulled through” and added: “This young man wants to pay his grandfather back.”

Roling was handed a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also told to complete 12 days of rehabilitation activities and 180 hours of unpaid work.

Recorder Jane Rowling told him: “You wanted to have drugs and lead a lifestyle you clearly couldn’t afford.

“You were given a chance after stealing £4,000 but a few months later stole double that amount.

“Your grandfather was caused considerable distress as a result of being let down by a blood relative to whom he’d been kind.”