A woman betrayed the trust of a "friend" by stealing his wallet and then using his bank cards to make purchases at a nearby garage.
Blackburn magistrates heard Lauren Davidson had not gone to the man's Darwen home with the intention of stealing anything and the offences had been "opportunistic."
Davidson, 37, of Linden Crescent, Darwen, pleaded guilty to theft of a wallet containing £300 cash and bank cards, three charges of fraudulent use of bank cards and a charge of shoplifting at Asda. She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 120 days alcohol abstinence requirement and 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement. She was ordered to pay £420 compensation and £114 victim surcharge.
Nicola Mills, prosecuting, said the defendant and complainant had become friends after a chance meeting.
"He said they got on well and he felt sorry for her as he could see she was struggling with a drug addiction," said Miss Mills. "He eventually formed the opinion he was being taken advantage of and ended their relationship. Despite that, she continued to try and get in touch with him."
Miss Mills said on the night of the incident, Davidson went round to the victim's address and asked to be let in. He said no but then left her at the front door while he went to lock the back door.
"When he returned she was in his front room and he told her to leave," said Miss Mills. "Shortly after she had gone he received a notification from his bank about a card being used at a nearby garage and realised his wallet was missing."
Miss Mills said Davidson was arrested nearby and initially said the complainant was making it up. Police searched her property and recovered some of the stolen property but not the wallet which contained a photograph of sentimental value.
"CCTV from the petrol station clearly showed her using the stolen bank cards and she told officers he had sent her to buy cocaine for him," said Miss Mills.
"He says he was not a drug user."
Miss Mills said Davidson had previous convictions for fraud and theft from a dwelling.
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Kimberley Morton, defending, said there was no intention to commit offences when she went to the address.
"It was an opportunistic theft," said Miss Morton. "The offences go back nearly 12 months and there has been no contact between them since."
Miss Morton said most of her client's offending was linked to her drug and alcohol issues.
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