A WOMAN used a stolen credit card to buy £65 worth of cigarettes and alcohol at an off-licence where she was recognised by staff, a court heard.

Although the closed circuit television system was not working at the time, it was back in operation when Karen Forster returned to the Booze Buster store, in Blackhill, Consett, later that day.

Durham Crown Court heard that the assistant who served her on the second visit, on June 21 last year, confirmed it was Forster who used the card earlier.

Richard Cowen, prosecuting, said she denied the allegation when interviewed by police.

But she admitted obtaining by deception and handling the stolen credit card, when the charges were put to her at yesterday's hearing.

Bob Spragg, mitigating, said Forster was struggling with alcohol and amphetamine abuse at the time.

Forster, 21, of Newlands, Blackhill, Consett, was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order, which includes an element of supervision by the probation service.