A 32-year-old woman was brought to East Lancashire, given a cheque book and bank card and taken "shopping" by a man she knew only as James, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard Viola Matereke had bought clothing worth more than £900 and a large quantity of gift cards before she was arrested.

And the court heard the single parent had been promised £200 for her efforts.

She went to Boundary Mill at Nelson and then to Marks and Spencer stores in Burnley, Accrington and Blackburn buying clothing worth over £200 on each occassion.

She was arrested in Blackburn but only after she had taken her latest haul to a car which had then driven off.

Matereke, of Glenlee Road, Bradford, pleaded guilty to theft of a bank card and cheque book and four charges of fraud by false representation. She was given a community supervision order for 18 months. No order was made for costs or compensation.

Neil White, prosecuting, said Matereke, who had no previous convictions, had been driven to East Lancashire by the man who provided the cheque book and bank card.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Matereke had been working in a Bradford care home, managing to meet her bills and support her daughter.

He said: "She was earning £1,200 and managing but the company she was working for lost their contract and her hours and her pay were cut in half.

"Her gas was going to be cut off, she is behind with her rent and is about to lose her house. It is against that background these offences were committed."

Mr Taylor said Matereke mentioned her financial plight to a friend who said he was aware of someone in London who might be able to help.

"She was put in touch with the man called James and you have heard what happened next," said Mr Taylor. "These offences were born out of desperation and she is deeply ashamed of what she has done. She is also concerned on how it will affect her daughter's education."