A DUDLEY nurse has described the brother of Dudley South MP Ian Pearson as the "lowest of the low" after he stole £226,000 from her while acting as a financial advisor for the family.

Linda Raybould, of Wilmot Gardens, Milking Bank said Martin Pearson offered his assistance within days of her husband being tragically killed in a road accident.

The widowed mother of four told Wolverhampton Crown Court "I felt he was a friend and I could trust him. But he turned out to be a real rogue."

Pearson of Sandy Lane, Tettenhall admitted seven charges of theft involving £659, 944 together with a further charge of forgery.

He was further remanded in custody by Recorder James Higham QC for a trial of issue on a date to be fixed.

Pearson who had seven victims named in the charges maintained to police officers after his arrest the money had been spent on his gambling addiction.

But Rhiannon Jones prosecuting said that was disputed because the investigation by police had failed to reveal any evidence about a gambling problem.

Mrs Raybould who works at Russells Hall Hospital said she and the other victims were currently battling to get their money back with the help of the firm who insured Pearson as a financial adviser.

She added: "He provided me with a whole string of fraudulent letters to say my money had been invested. Butt when I contacted the firms involved they reported they had never heard of me.

The 46-year-old said Pearson had been "very cool and calculating" adding: "I looked him up on records and he was registered as a financial advisor.

I thought I could trust him but he has betrayed that trust and turned out to be a very unsavoury character. It seems he has targeted a number of vulnerable people."

Pearson is also facing a future hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act to determine his assets so any monies available can be repaid back to his victims.

The Recorder said he would be sentenced for his crimes at the end of the trial of issue which was expected to be heard in about two months time.

A statement released by Dudley South MP Ian Pearson said: "I have no connection whatsoever with my brother's professional life and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."