A BANK manager took out a fraudulent £18,000 loan from his own bank and used his own staff ID to log on.

Simon Dinnage was swiftly caught and was jailed for 12 months at Bournemouth Crown Court.

The 38-year-old was the manager of Lloyds TSB in Verwood but the court heard he was in financial trouble.

He took out the loan in the name of a customer last year, then transferred the cash to his pregnant girlfriend's account.

Berenice Mulvanny, defending, said: “Anybody in their right mind would have known this would be picked up.

“He gave his own details. He used his own staff ID to log in. He knew the customer would receive this letter.

“It was a complete moment of madness.”

Judge John Harrow said: “It was almost a death wish, really.”

Dinnage was working out the last few days of his notice at the time.

The court heard he is unemployed but has taken refresher courses in plumbing, and his father had arranged temporary work for him.

He has a partner with a three-month-old child. He also supports his partner's two children and has two children from a previous relationship to support, the court heard.

He told his girlfriend the money came from an inheritance and around £8,570 was recovered.

Judge Harrow told him: “What you have done is entirely out of character.

“You have brought disgrace not just upon yourself but also your family.”

Dinnage, of Harris Avenue in Hedge End, Southampton, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position at an earlier hearing.

After sentencing, he was led down to the cells, while three female supporters cried in the public gallery.