Man jailed after using stolen card to buy breakfast muffins

A fraudster who bought scratch cards, cigarettes and a breakfast muffin with stolen bank cards has been jailed for a year. Thomas Arnold used the cards to complete a dozen transactions at various shops across Strood and Ashford between March and April 2019. The 29-year-old, of no fixed address, admitted 12 counts of fraud by false representation and two counts of handling stolen goods and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 19 August 2019. The court heard the first offences in the case took place between 11 and 13 March 2019 and saw Arnold use two different bank cards in eight fraudulent transactions. Items bought included mobile phone credit and scratch cards from various service stations in Ashford to a combined value of £219. The cards are reported to have been stolen from a burglary in Henderson Avenue, Ashford, on 11 March. Arnold then used a different stolen bank card in four fraudulent transactions in Strood on 27 April. Items purchased included cigarettes and a breakfast muffin from a fast food restaurant. The combined value of these purchases was £65. The bank card itself was reported to have been taken following a burglary in Hartington Street, Chatham, on the same date. In addition to these offences, Arnold also admitted being carried in a vehicle that was reported to have been stolen from the Chatham burglary. Detective Constable Dan Bister, Kent Police’s investigating officer for the case, said: ‘Arnold’s willingness to use other people’s bank cards for his own means clearly shows him to be an opportunistic and deceitful offender. ‘He showed little regard for the distress his offending would cause and it is entirely appropriate he has received a custodial sentence.’ Ends.