North east card thief (50) funded pub trip with ex-partner's money
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A MORAY 50-year-old who stole his ex-partner's card to go to the pub has been ordered to pay her £350.
Kevin Sim of Newmill Road, Elgin admitted taking the card from his ex's purse and using it at an RBS cash machine in January this year.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood handed Sim a compensation order for £350, and a year of social work supervision at Elgin Sheriff Court last Thursday (August 24).
Solicitor Stephen Carty, representing the 50-year-old, said he had previously been allowed to use the card – but not this time.
“Mr Sim had been allowed use of the complainers credit card on a regular basis," Mr Carty said.
“And used the card to fund his going out to the pub and placing bets on a regular basis.
“While he is at pains to say that, in normal circumstances, he is allowed, not on that particular day."
Fiscal depute Karen Poke said Sim's ex found out about the stolen card after the thief phoned her from the pub.
“They were together at his property and the complainant wasn’t feeling well," Ms Poke said.
“Later, the accused phoned to see if she was okay and he said he was in the pub.
“She became suspicious because she knew he didn’t have money to be in the pub."
The victim then: "checked her purse and her bank card was missing" and "he confessed to stealing it".
Mitigating, Mr Carty said Sim, who lives alone and has a "limited income", offered to repay his ex-partner but this had not happened before his court appearance.
The court also heard that the man "does struggle with certain parts of everyday life" and faces "certain difficulties brought about by injuries".
And both Sim and his family believed the 50-year-old “would benefit" from social work supervision.
However, Mr Carty said: “Mr Sim did use the bank card for that particular purpose on that particular day.
“And didn’t have permission to do so."
