Used wife’s card for gambling

A Perth man used his wife’s bank card during the height of the coronavirus lockdown to access two online gambling sites while she was asleep.

But Karen Ireland got a text from her bank the following morning disclosing that he had spent £160 in five different transactions.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that Mark Ireland’s marriage was now in tatters and he was staying in the Salvation Army hostel in Skinnergate.

Previously of Iona Court, North Muirton, the 41-year-old was fined £400 and ordered to repay the cash after admitting stealing the money on June 30, 2020.

A previous charge alleged that he had fraudulently obtained £160 by pretending he was the bank card holder and accessing the Monopoly Casino and Rainbow Riches websites.

Depute fiscal Lisa Marshall explained that they had been married 19 years and previously lived together.

They had both gone to bed but the next day she was made aware of the transactions on her card.

She challenged the accused and then contacted the police to report the incident.

Solicitor Bruce Short said the accused did not have a gambling problem but there had been difficulties with alcohol.

They were together until recently but she had accused him of being unfaithful and he was living in the hostel, although still had property in the marital home.

“It’s a very difficult situation and he regrets the marriage is over,”Mr Short told the court.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis, who said the theft could have been linked to the lockdown, allowed Ireland three months to pay the penalties.