A WAREHOUSEMAN helped himself to a friend's bank card and then took out £320 to pay off drug debts.
Burnley Magistrates heard how James Heald, 25, had been helping victim Helen Jackson to decorate when he went through her handbag.
The money had now been returned to Mrs Jackson but she did not get her card back as the defendant claimed it was broken in half.
The defendant, of Pollard Street, Burnley, admitted two theft charges.
He was fined £100 with £50 costs by the bench who told him his conduct had been "despicable," and a complete breach of trust.
Duncan Nightingale, defending, said in the past Mrs Jackson had given the defendant her card to get money from a cash dispenser for her. He said: "That has to be the truth or how would he know the PIN number?"
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