A FRAUDSTER who 'pilfered' the account of a woman after stealing her debit card during a burglary has been jailed.

Perry Stanley entered the porch of a house on Park Road in Great Sankey, taking the victim's handbag.

The 26-year-old, from Widnes, then went on a spending spree in Warrington and Widnes using the cash card – racking up a bill of almost £90 before the card was declined.

Michael Cain, prosecuting, told Warrington Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 23, that the victim returned home from work and left her handbag in the porch, which contained her bank card but no money.

The door was left unlocked, however the bag was out of sight from the windows and could only have been found by entering the porch.

At around 9pm the same evening, the victim was contacted by her bank – who revealed eight transactions had been made on her card, which she was unaware of.

Stanley, who had 11 previous convictions for 22 offences, was identified using the card on CCTV.

He admitted fraud but was found guilty of burglary after a trial.

Defence solicitor James Bagby told the court that his 'immature' client had been thrown out of the family home prior to the what he described as an 'opportunistic' burglary, and had a gambling addiction.

Stanley had since returned to family home on the condition that his mother had control of his finances and he address his problems.

Sentencing, district judge Bridget Knight, said: "Your long-suffering, clearly supportive parents are still suffering due to your behaviour.

"Within two hours of stealing the card in a gross intrusion of the sanctity of her home, you had pilfered her account with eight transactions before you were stopped.

"You already have had two suspended sentences and there comes a point when your time has run out."

Stanley was sentenced to 36 weeks in jail, of which he will serve half, and told to pay court costs of £555.