Woman used card on gambling website

Victoria Gemma Lewin, 27, of Ropery Road in Gainsborough admitted the charge of fraud by false representation at Worksop Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.

The court heard that Lewin found the bank card, belonging to Andrew Bromley, in the centre console of a car she had just bought from him.

Within hours she was using the card to buy phone top-ups, gifts and online gambling credit on the internet, racking up a total spend of £107.

The court heard that the transactions took place from an address in Carlton, near Worksop, on 31st October last year.

“When Mr Bromley realised his card was in the car he contacted the defendant and she returned it to him the next day,” said Ruth Snowdin, prosecuting.

“He didn’t report it as lost for this reason.”

But the court heard that alarm bells were raised when the card was back with Mr Bromley and his wife tried to use it, only for it to be declined.

On further investigation they found a number of transactions they did not recognise and reported it to the police.

Mrs Snowdin said Lewin had committed the offences during a suspended sentence for another similar matter.

Defending, Ian Pridham said: “The offences were bound to be discovered. It’s absolutely crazy behaviour and she can’t understand why she did it.”

Magistrates sent the case to Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing at a later date. Lewin was given unconditional bail.