PRISON WILL WIPE SMIRK OFF YA FACE

Shameless thief jailed just after this

RYAN Nolan sticks his thumbs up for cameras before being jailed for using a credit card stolen from an elderly woman.

Shameless Nolan, 26, showed no remorse as he marched into court.

But magistrates proceeded to lock him up for 14 weeks.

Nolan claimed he had found the card, which he used to buy booze, food and cigarettes from seven different shops, on the pavement.

He was soon traced when the 82-yearold victim’s card was reported stolen.

Nolan pleaded guilty to one count of theft by finding, and also confessed to seven counts of fraud.

He also admitted one count each of possessing Subutex, a drug to treat opiate addiction, and cannabis.

Rebecca Laverick, prosecuting, said: “The card the defendant was using was stolen during a burglary.

“The victim is a resident in wardenmonitored accommodation.

“She has a number of medical difficulties and would certainly be classed as a vulnerable person.

“Someone went into her home and stole her purse and in there was a bank card that was used by the defendant.

“At 10.55am on May 8, the first fraud offence occurs, which was very quickly after the burglary had taken place.”

Nolan, of North Shields, Tyne and Wear, was traced via CCTV.

However, the court was told there was no evidence he was responsible for the burglary.

The prosecution added: “The defendant said he found it and went to the shops to use it.

“There is nothing linking him to the burglary.”

At North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, Stephen Davis, mitigating, added: “It’s always been his position that he found the card on the ground and went on to use it.

“He was not the one who stole it from the victim, so the charge is theft by finding.”