A former special forces serviceman has walked free from court after he splashed nearly £12,000 of his mum's money on gambling and booze.

Gambling addict David Apps left his mother penniless after putting an evening of betting and drinking on her credit card. 

The 57-year-old former police officer and British special forces member was visiting his mother in Eastleigh in July 2023 when he gambled £11,900 on betting site Spreadex using her card.

He was previously handed a deferred sentence and told to pay the money back.

Apps appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Monday where a judge handed him a 12-month sentence suspended for 18 months.

He was ordered to pay £1,500 compensation a month for the next year and was also handed a criminal behaviour order banning him from using his mother's cards for 18 months.

READ MORE: Gambling addict stole nearly £12,000 from elderly mother

Sentencing, Judge Nicholas Rowland told Apps: "Make sure you stick to this order and you do not re-offend because you will end up in prison if you do."

The judge previously questioned his need to steal from his elderly mother "with his level of income" as he is currently director of special projects at the United Arab Emirates government. 

Apps, now of Highfield Road, Chelsea, also worked in the police and special forces in Australia, according to his public LinkedIn account. 

His mum was left so distressed when his deceit was discovered that she sold her apartment and moved to Australia to be with her daughter. 

David Apps leaving Southampton Crown Court. 15/1/24David Apps leaving Southampton Crown Court. 15/1/24 (Image: NQ)

In a victim impact statement, she said Apps’ actions left her ‘financially vulnerable’.

The money was taken during Apps' 24-hour stay at her home from a credit card that only he and his mother could access.

Prosecutor Nicola Sully said he did this "as a result of boredom and drinking", making 10 transactions totalling £4,100 and 21 further transactions totalling £7,800.

Mitigating, Emily Lanham said however that Apps has a "great deal of remorse", adding: "He is willing and wants to provide for his mother and reduce the burden that this offending has brought on her.”