A WOMAN turned detective after her bank card had been stolen from her car.

Blackburn magistrates heard she received a text to say her card had been declined at a nearby store and she went to investigate.

The shopkeeper described two women who had tried to use the card and the owner, Natalie McGowan, got back in her car and went looking for them.

The court was told Miss McGowan found the two women and confronted them and they claimed they had found the card.

Leaanne Heys, 31, of Dean Street, Padiham, was convicted in her absence of fraud by false representation and pleaded guilty to stealing gift sets from Wilko, Blackburn.

She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £20 victim surcharge. An existing community order was allowed to continue.

Ben Leech, defending, said his client had a heroin problem but in recent years she had managed to go for long periods without using.

"She also suffers from anxiety and depression and doesn't always cope well in those situations," said Mr Leech.