Addict used patient's stolen bank card to pay for take away

Michael Alcock, 38, admitted one offence of fraud by false representation at a hearing in September.

The 83 year old female victim's handbag was snatched at the Princess Royal Hospital, in Telford, between January 22 and 24.

Prosecuting barrister Mr Steven Bailey said: "While she was there her handbag and the contents including her bank card were stolen. It is not alleged that the defendant stole them. He told the police he found the card on the ground outside the hospital.

"The card was fraudulently used to pay for two taxi rides to pay for him and his girlfriend to go to their GP to collect their methadone prescription.

"While they were there he made a phone call to order £46 worth of Chinese food to be delivered to their home address. the sum of £54.40 was the actual loss.

"There was an attempt to use the card to withdraw £100 from a cash point and a further ineffective attempt to pay £7.80 in taxi fares on January 23. The taxi firm cancelled the trip when the payment was rejected.

"The phone used in the transactions were traced to him."

The court also heard Alcock, of Birchwood Close, Arleston, Telford, had string of previous convictions relating to drug abuse.

Mitigating barrister Mr Harbinder Lally said he could not add to recommendations made by the probation service.

Sentencing judge Mr Recorder Gareth Evans QC told Alcock: "You have pleaded guilty to this offence. Your actions realised a total of £54.40 which you spent I am told on two or three taxi rides and an awful lot of Chinese food."

Alcock was given an 18-month community order with requirements to attend 40 rehabilitation activity days incorporating 25 days of farm work, he must also attend a six-month drug rehab programme.

He must also pay a victims' surcharge set by the court when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday.