A COFFEE shop worker has been ordered to repay more than £1,000 to a vulnerable colleague whose bank card she used to buy an Apple watch and make cash withdrawals.

Danielle Devlin, 19, had been working alongside her victim, who has learning difficulties, at the Muffin Break in Workington and the pair were friends, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the 17-year-old victim provided Devlin with her bank card and pin to buy food on several occasions after the defendant told her she had no money.

Devlin had asked the victim for help to buy an Apple watch for her mother, to help track her diabetes. The victim provided her bank and personal details to set up a contract with O2.

She had purchased the Apple watch online using the victim’s bank details and also purchased a mobile phone upgrade.

Devlin also made a number of unauthorised cash withdrawals and bought online goods, including a phone case and a portrait drawing, the court heard.

The total amount spent between August 17, 2021 and September 2, 2021, was £1,182.05.

Devlin was interviewed twice by police. She initially denied the allegations but later admitted the transactions were done unlawfully.

The defendant said she had attempted to take a contract out in her own name but this hadn’t been possible so the victim had agreed to help her.

She said the phone upgrade was part of a deal with the Apple watch.

Devlin said she felt it was too much to ask of the victim and asked her to cancel the contract but it was too late.

Throughout the interview, she said the victim was a good friend to her and any money she felt was owed to her, would be paid back as promised.

Devlin admitted using the bank card without permission on all occasions. She admitted the cash withdrawals were made by her and were done without the victim’s knowledge.

She said she had lied to the victim about it being a present for her mum and admitted it was for herself.  She confirmed she lied to the victim that no money would be taken from her account.

Devlin said she had disposed of the Apple watch in a public bin because she had “panicked”.

She admitted the online purchases of a phone case and a portrait drawing for her friend.

Ryan Foley, defending, said: “It’s a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.

“She was arrested. She experienced a panic attack. Following her arrest until now, she has had a difficult time. She has lost her good character and her friend.

“I’m confident you will not see Miss Devlin in court again. She is embarrassed by her actions. She was 18 at the time and displayed a lack of maturity.”

Mr Foley said Devlin was now working at a bingo hall in Whitehaven and this new employment would allow her to repay the victim.

Devlin, of Westmorland Road, Hensingham, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud by false representation at a hearing on January 9. She was sentenced for the offence today (January 16).

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Devlin was ordered to pay £1,182.05 in compensation to her victim, £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

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