A drug addict stole more than $4,000 from his father's bank account by stealing cheques from his cheque book, a court heard.

Michael O'Leary, of Pembroke, yesterday admitted 33 counts of forgery, using a false instrument, and obtaining property by deception.

Magistrates' Court heard O'Leary, 48, stole 11 cheques from his father and used them to obtain $4,250 in cash.

Between August 27 and September 27 he wrote out various amounts and cashed them at the Bank of Bermuda Church Street branch.

It was only when his father, Raymond O'Leary, received his bank statement that he noticed the missing money. He reported the matter to the bank and the Police, and O'Leary was arrested.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said: "When he received his bank statement on September 27 he noticed the entire two page statement listed several cheques which he did not recognise.

"He spoke to a representative of the Church Street bank and said the cheques were not authorised by him. Mr. O'Leary made a report to Police and said he believed his son was responsible for the theft."

After a Fraud Unit investigation, O'Leary was arrested. "He fully admitted the offences and said he presented these cheques to the bank to support his drug addiction," said Ms Clarke.

The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions and was now living with his father.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner bailed O'Leary and adjourned sentencing until May 12 for a Social Inquiry Report.