Caloundra West son Luke Andrew Helton scams his mum out of $2k

A Caloundra West man has faced court after his mum reported him to police for draining her debit card of more than $2000, spending the money on games and online food orders.

Luke Andrew Helton was sentenced at Caloundra Magistrates Court on December 14, 2022.

A Caloundra West man has been ordered by a court to repay his mum after he swindled her out of more than $2000 and spent it on himself.

Luke Andrew Helton had used the details of his mother’s debit card to run up 58 purchases from June 1 to August 5, totalling $2119.89.

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Caloundra Magistrates Court heard the aspiring traffic controller had bought games and food online until his mother became wise to his scheme.

Police prosecutor Amanda Brewer said a purchase in Taree in New South Wales in August led to her discovering her 29-year-old son’s fraudulent purchases.

Luke Andrew Helton at Caloundra Magistrates Court.

Sergeant Brewer said the mother confronted Helton after cancelling her card and asked for him to repay the money.

The pair agreed on $1463 to be repaid until she discovered even more purchases on bank statements, eventually filing a police complaint after not receiving any further response or money from Helton.

Helton was interviewed by police on November 21 and made full admissions, telling officers he wasn’t sure why he scammed his own mum.

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Duty lawyer Neesha Maidwell said the unemployed Helton agreed it was an “extremely stupid decision” and was remorseful.

Helton pleaded guilty to fraud and was ordered to pay restitution of $2119.89 and made to complete 40 hours’ community service.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Caloundra West son Luke Andrew Helton scams his mum out of $2k