A MAN described as a "soft touch" among his peers repeatedly used a contactless bank card which had been stolen by someone else.

Blackburn magistrates heard the owner of the card was trying not to use it in the run up to Christmas and only realised her account had been "caned" when she received a bank statement.

Jordan Ryan Crea, 20, of Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 40 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the card owner had left the card in her coat pocket. When she got her bank statement she saw there had been 15 transactions she knew nothing about.

"She went to one of the shops where the card had been used and asked to look at the CCTV," said Mrs Mann.

"That showed a man, who she didn't recognise, using her card. Police collected images from the footage and Crea was identified."

Daniel Frazer, defending, said Crea was not responsible for the theft of the card.

"He is something of a soft touch amongst his peers and they had directed him to go and purchase things using this card," said Mr Frazer.

"He has been sanctioned by the benefits agency because he wouldn't leave the house because of his mental health issues and missed a meeting as a result."