WISBECH COURT TODAY: Shop worker spots fraudster after chance use of false address

A SHOP worker was astounded when a fraudster gave details of where she lived – because it was the worker s own address! Gemma Edwards was serving in the Catalogue Bargain Shop in Wisbech when Lucy Smith bought more than £100 worth of goods on a stolen cre

A SHOP worker was astounded when a fraudster gave details of where she lived - because it was the worker's own address!

Gemma Edwards was serving in the Catalogue Bargain Shop in Wisbech when Lucy Smith bought more than £100 worth of goods on a stolen credit card.

And when Smith was asked for her address, she gave details of a home in Admirals Drive, Wisbech - that matched Ms Edwards' address.

"Ms Edwards was suspicious and called the police," prosecutor Andrew Williams told Fenland magistrates. "Smith was arrested, and found in possession of two credit cards in the name of Harrison."

Smith, 27, of Acacia Avenue, Spalding, admitted fraudulently using a stolen credit card on October 16 last year, and being in possession of two stolen cards.

Police inquiries revealed that the credit cards had been stolen during a burglary at Walpole St Peter, added Mr Williams.

Migrating, solicitor Ann Whinyates said Smith, who was born and bred in Wisbech, had found the stolen cards on the pavement behind some flats.

"She was short of money and used one card, she was desperate," she said. "It was a spur of the moment offence."

After obtaining a TV and other goods from the Wisbech shop, Smith left them at the back of John F Kennedy Court, but they went missing before she could sell them.

Smith was given a two year conditional discharge and must pay £50 compensation.