Using a child’s missing bank card to stock up on £11 of groceries and electricity has cost a Neyland man £216.
Wayne Stephen Davies, 29, pleaded guilty to theft by finding when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, July 24.
The court heard that Davies, of George Street, Neyland, found a 12 year-old’s Visa card on the street on February 3.
The child’s parent was able to track the card's transactions, and discovered it had been used by a man called Wayne to buy groceries and an electricity top-up, totalling £11, at a local supermarket.
Davies, who had a number of previous convictions including theft offences, was identified from CCTV footage at the store,
Mark Layton, defending, said: “Mr Davies found the card on the street and had absolutely no idea that it belonged to a child.
“He should have handed it in, but he didn’t, and used it to spend £11.”
Mr Layton added: “It’s something he feels very badly about. He will repay the amount involved.”
Magistrates fined Davies £90 and ordered him to pay £11 compensation, plus £85 court costs and a £30 surcharge.
As he left the dock, Davies said: “That was a very costly electricity payment.”
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