Stanley Blencowe, 41, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates Court charged with seven counts of obtaining property by deception.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Len Ladner told the court Blencowe was staying with the victim at her Bittern house between June 4 and July 17, 2003.

Soon after moving in, Blencowe took the victim’s National Australia Bank credit card from a coffee table and used it to withdraw $500 cash from an ATM in Hastings.

The court heard that over the following week, Blencowe returned to withdraw a further total of $2500 on six other occasions.

Sen-Constable Ladner said the victim identified the defendant from security footage taken from the ATM.

Defence lawyer Euan Vance told the court that while Blencowe had a history of offences, others had all been driving related.

"He’s diversifying," Magistrate Richard Wright responded.

Mr Vance said his client had previously worked for the victim’s husband and felt he was owed thousands of dollars.

Mr Vance said Blencowe was the full-time carer of his mother and brother, and would find it difficult to pay restitution.

Magistrate Wright said it was important to balance the issues of rehabilitation and deterrence.

"Obtaining property by deception is a fairly heinous crime," he said.

"This type of offending is really quite vile."

Blencowe was convicted and sentenced to six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.