Woman admits £1k card fraud
A Cannock woman used her blind boyfriend's store card without telling him to buy more than £1,000 of electrical goods for herself, a court heard. A Cannock woman used her blind boyfriend's store card without telling him to buy more than £1,000 of electrical goods for herself, a court heard. Kelly Stokes, aged 29, fraudulently signed Kenneth Parsons' name for transactions while using his Comet store card in January and February this year, Cannock magistrates were told. Stokes, an unemployed mother-of-one from Westgate, was ordered to do 60 hours' unpaid work after she admitted 10 counts of fraud by false representation. She was also ordered to pay £1,574.66 compensation to Comet and £60 costs, yesterday. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Kelly Stokes, aged 29, fraudulently signed Kenneth Parsons' name for transactions while using his Comet store card in January and February this year, Cannock magistrates were told.
Stokes, an unemployed mother-of-one from Westgate, was ordered to do 60 hours' unpaid work after she admitted 10 counts of fraud by false representation.
She was also ordered to pay £1,574.66 compensation to Comet and £60 costs, yesterday.
Miss Sara Beddow, prosecuting, said the couple had been together for about 10 years and had an eight-year-old daughter, but they were now separated.
She said the victim purchased a television on credit from Comet and in March this year received a statement through the post which showed his repayment balance had increased.
"Inquiries revealed he had been sent a store card which the defendant used to purchase items," Miss Beddow said.
"When interviewed she admitted transactions with a total value of £1,242.74, but claimed the injured party was aware and had told her to sign it herself in his name.
"However that has been disputed by the Crown."
Mr Nathan Cook, defending, said Stokes pleaded guilty on the basis that she had used the card, but with the owner knowing "full well" she was using it.
"The owner said he didn't know about it but he completed the application form on the day he bought the television," he said. "The only reason he made this claim was that he doesn't want to be left with this bill." Magistrates reduced the unpaid work from 90 hours to 60 because Stokes admitted the offences.
