AN 18-YEAR-OLD man repeatedly stole money from his mum’s bank account after being told he might not live for more than another year, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard Samual Joshua Ryan had removed £2,081 from the account before his dishonesty was discovered.

And the court was told the teenager’s desperation had been brought on by a “death sentence” hanging over him.

He had stolen the money to fund his £80 a day drug habit, the court heard.

Ryan, of Elmfield Street, Church, pleaded guilty to theft of £2,081 belonging to Denise Lee.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the money was taken during a number of withdrawals between November 11 and December 27. Gareth Price, defending, said his client suffered from cystic fibrosis and as a child he had been told that his life expectancy would only be his mid-twenties.

Mr Price said: “Recently that has been changed and he may not see much more than the next 12 months.

“That news has coincided with his increased use of drugs which may not help his life expectancy.”