Latest convictions from Preston's courts - Monday, May 20, 2019
Burglar stole credit card from firefighter
A thief burgled Preston Fire Station and used fire officer’s stolen card to splurge on scratchcards while his victim was on duty protecting the public.
Carl Richardson, of Rose Lane, Holme Slack, Preston, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and fraud after trespassing in the city fire station on Blackpool Road, Deepdale, on April 20.
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Hide AdProsecuting, Tracey Yates told Preston Magistrates’ Court, Richardson had rifled through employees’ possessions and then stole fire officer Michael Hayes’ debit card.
The 37-year-old intruder went to an Esso fuel station nearby on Blackpool Road.
The court heard he used the firefighter’s stolen card to make two transactions in order to buy Lottery scratchcards.
But the bungling thief then tried to sell them to a member of public - admitting to him that he had “bought it with a card he stole from the fire station”.
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Hide AdThe quick-thinking member of public recognised Richardson as someone he had been to school with.
Miss Yates added: “He took the card off him and took it back to the fire station, before reporting the matter to police.”
Richardson was arrested at his home, where police officers also found several of the scratchcards he had fraudulently bought.