A man and woman were convicted for using stolen bank cards to make multiple purchases, including paying for a taxi and breakfast at a hotel, following a burglary in Slough.
Paul Murphy, 40, from Chadwick Road, Slough, and Anita Bali, 40, of Littlewood, Lewisham, were found guilty of using two stolen bank cards on various transactions. The cards had been taken during a burglary earlier that same day.
Murphy was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, to be served concurrently with a separate three-year sentence for another offence. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a fine. Bali received a community order during the hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court.
Detective Constable Lauren Rose from the priority crime team emphasized the impact of such crimes on victims, stating that the defendants used money that did not belong to them to fund their personal expenses. She also praised the victims for supporting the investigation and encouraged anyone affected by fraud to come forward.
The court proceedings highlighted the ongoing commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting individuals from financial exploitation.
