A PREGNANT mother who went on a £580 trail of deception with a stolen cheque book had been short of cash.
Burnley Magistrates heard how Carol Anne Sorbie, 37, wanted to get her son a toy for his birthday.
Sorbie was given a 12 months community rehabilitation order and was ordered to pay £580 compensation.
The defendant, of Cloverhill Road, Nelson, had earlier admitted handling stolen goods, two charges of obtaining property by deception and two of using a false instrument.
Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court a woman had her car stolen.
In it were her cheque book and cheque guarantee card.
Cheques were then presented at various stores and the defendant got goods worth £582.
The defendant later admitted forging the victim's signature and using the card to obtain property.
John Nuttall, defending, said Sorbie had been pregnant, living with two children and had been short of money.
An opportunity presented itself and the defendant went along with it.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article