Respected GP loses wife and career after spending £300,000 on gambling addiction

Dr Mathew Amos, a married father of three, lost his wife, home, career and even the car he was reduced to sleeping in after racking up huge debts by betting on internet sports sites.

The 44-year-old - described by his barrister as 'the man who had everything' - then stole from fellow doctors, neighbours and friends to try to keep afloat after the extent of his gambling addiction was revealed.

Highly respected Dr Mathew Amos lost everything after becoming addicted to gambling

Amos, who has been suspended from his job as a GP in Thurnscoe, South Yorkshire, narrowly escaped jail after admitting 13 offences of theft and dishonesty totalling £5,366.

In one offence, he spent £2,746 on the credit card of a friend who had taken sympathy on him and let him stay in her home.

Sentencing Amos at Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Michael Murphy said: 'You have lost your practice, your good character and a lot of friends who have been taken for a ride by your dishonesty.'

He was given a community order to perform 200 hours' unpaid work.

Medical reports presented to the court revealed Amos was suffering from a depressive illness at the time and his own family believe he was mentally ill.

Amos, who has been divorced by his wife Rachel and lost the marital home near Barnsley, now lives on incapacity benefits.

He has been attending Gambling Anonymous for some time.

A relative said: 'It's been a nightmare. Rachel found out by default when she opened some post by mistake and discovered a loan taken out in their joint names.

'Up until that point, she had no idea he had a gambling habit. He was a GP and respected member of the community.'