AN Aberystwyth student stole a work colleague’s debit card and bought almost £150 of items by carrying out seven transactions using contactless payment, magistrates have heard.

Danielle Cummings, 20, bought items at Peacocks, Superdrug and New Look after stealing the card from Holly Richardson’s bag in the staff room of an Aberystwyth store.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Cummings had then made several transactions, all of which were below the limit for contactless payment to avoid having to put in a PIN or sign anything.

Cummings, of 10 Park Avenue, admitted theft and three charges of fraud by false representation on 17 December, with magistrates hearing that she had taken the card on impulse as she was short of money.

Ms Tench said Cummings had been employed on a casual basis by Poundland in the run-up to Christmas and had stolen Ms Richardson’s debit card after seeing her bag had been left in the staff room.

Ms Richardson had seen Cummings going into the Peacocks store, but hadn’t had time to talk to her. Shortly afterwards, she received a call from Barclays bank asking if she had made payments at Peacocks.

She then spoke to the store manager and, after checking CCTV, saw Cummings had used the card to buy items.

After her arrest, Cummings admitted that she had taken the card and used it to buy items and said she was embarrassed and sorry.

She bought items totalling almost £150, some of which had been recovered.

Ms Tench said that Ms Richardson had been reimbursed by Barclays, but said the bank had not been repaid the money.

Defence solicitor Janem Jones said Cummings had been short of money and had taken the card on impulse. She said: “It was spur of the moment. She saw this debit card and took it and went on a small spending spree.”

Ms Jones said Cummings had never been in trouble before and could have been cautioned for the offence. She said Cummings had always intended to return the card.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order and Cummings will have to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. She will also pay £170 of costs.