A MAN who fraudulently used another person's bank card in a shop has been sentenced.

Ben Jones, of Rowleys Drive in Shotton, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Friday.

The 32-year-old admitted one offence of fraud by false representation - which came about when he used a bank card belonging to another person to purchase items at Asda in Queensferry on November 18 last year.

Shane Maddocks, prosecuting, told the court the offence came to light when a woman realised transactions had been happening on her bank accounts.

She'd left her handbag in her vehicle overnight - and when she went to check, it was not in the footwell where she'd last seen it.

A check on her banking app confirmed a transaction of £82.30 had been carried out at the Queensferry Asda store.

When CCTV was checked, the defendant was spotted using the card.

Officers searched his home and recovered the bank card.

Mr Maddocks said the defendant had 10 previous convictions for 22 offences - eight of which were for theft.

A probation officer told the court Jones is currently on a 24 month community order and thus far, his progress has been positive.

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Ceri Lewis, defending, told the court: "In fairness, I think he's had a bad time of late and is now coming out the other side.

"He's volunteering at the moment and cooks for the homeless.

"He's normally a chef and is trying to get back into that once his accommodation is sorted.

"This [offence] is something he is not proud of.

"At the time, he was living at the Glanrafon Centre and said this was something he did out of desperation.

"He wishes to apologise to the lady for any distress caused."

The court handed down a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £82.30 compensation, as well as a £26 victim surcharge and £85 costs.