A WOMAN found with two stolen cards, including a bank card, told police she found them and forgot to hand them in, Burnley magistrates heard.

Catherine Smith, 34, was arrested after police searched a house wanting to speak to a man who was living there.

Smith, of Walton Street, Colne, admitted theft by finding and was given a 12 months conditional discharge with £30 costs.

The court was told how the cards were taken from a high school cleaner's handbag. Among the haul were also a set of rosary beads.

Smith had 10 previous convictions for theft.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said the cards had been in Smith's possession for some time but she had not used them.

The defendant, who was no stranger to the courts, conceeded she should have handed the cards in.