A fraudster has been spared jail after stealing a bank card from a 'vulnerable' cancer sufferer.

Hayley Webb, of Nidderdale, Carlton Colville, had been working as a cleaner for the 62-year-old victim after posting a leaflet through her door.

However, the victim later discovered her bank card had gone missing and payday loans had been applied for in her name.

Mrs Webb, 35, admitted 13 counts of fraud by false representation when she appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on January 9, and returned to the court on February 13 to be sentenced.

The offences included buying goods at Ideal Shopping Direct for £93.50 on February 16 2017 before she used the card again on February 20 2017 to buy a meal at the Wherry Public House worth £21.58, shopping at ASDA worth £225.99 and £58.05, petrol worth £49.99 from Desira Garage, and food from McDonalds worth £11.04.

Her husband Steven Webb, 28, also of Nidderdale, Carlton Colville, also pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation by benefitting from the card being used in these offences.

The following day, the card was used by Mrs Webb to buy goods worth £88.92 from Argos, £17.75 from B&M, £117.75 from Ideal Shopping Direct and £64.10 from Morrisons, while a Paypal transaction was also made worth £101.17,

Her total spend on the bank card totalled £849.84, with Mr Webb's offences totalling £355.61.

Mrs Webb also applied for loans worth £300 and £1,000 using the card on February 16 and 18.

The pair had initially denied the offences when they appeared at the court on November 7, but pleaded guilty last month.

Speaking at the hearing last month, prosecutor Nicola Pope said: 'To some extent, Mrs Webb and the victim became friends and she would walk her dog.'

Mrs Webb was handed a 15 week prison sentence, suspended for two years, while Mr Webb was given a conditional discharge for his four offences.

The couple were ordered to pay compensation to the victim. No order was made for court costs or victim surcharge.