ONLY hours after his brother's death, a Devizes man persuaded someone else to give him his brother's PIN number and then emptied his bank account, using the money to buy drugs.

Peter Dean, 38, of Southbroom Road, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud and possession of class A drugs when he appeared before North West Wiltshire Magistrates' Court in Chippenham.

The court in Chippenham heard on Thursday that Dean had got the PIN number for the bank account belonging to his brother, Andrew Dean, on February 18. He got the number from another person who did not know Andrew Dean had died that morning.

Police said this week Andrew Dean had been sleeping on his brother's sofa when he was found dead at 7.58am on February 18. Both ambulance and police were called to the house that morning. An inquest into Andrew Dean's death is due to be held.

Peter Dean then used the number to withdraw £750. When he was later arrested he was found in possession of cocaine, a controlled class A drug.

Detective Constable Kev Golledge said: “Dean obtained the PIN for his brother’s bank account just hours after he had passed away, claiming he needed to buy alcohol for his brother, who was an alcoholic.

"In fact, his brother had already, sadly, died.

“His actions were completely selfish and he has shown no remorse for what he has done.”

Dean was fined £300 and told to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “Peter Dean’s actions were truly shocking, cold-hearted and selfish – just hours after the death of his brother at the age of just 39, he visited three cashpoints in order to empty his bank account.

"He did this by lying to a third party who knew his brother well, failing to tell her that his brother had passed away.

“The sentencing handed out is a result of a thorough police investigation into Peter Dean’s actions and we hope it highlights the fact that Wiltshire Police is determined to bring those who commit offences such as fraud to justice.

“Anyone wishing to report a suspected fraud of any kind is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”