Man landed wife with £12k debt

A MAN landed his wife with £12,000 of credit card bills after he secretly used her bank cards to pay off personal and business debts.

Cardiff Crown Court heard 38-year-old Michael Thomas used his wife Samantha’s Barclays, Santander, and MBNA credit cards without telling her and ran up thousands of pounds of debt.

Representing himself during the sentencing hearing, self-employed Thomas said: “I was trying so hard to make a living.”

The court heard the fraudulent transactions occurred during the three-month period from December 2015 to February 2016.

Prosecutor Christopher Rees said: “The defendant fraudulently used three credit cards to pay off his personal and business debts.”

He said Thomas obtained nearly £12,000 without his wife realising.

Prosecutors said although her credit rating may be affected she was not liable for the money.

The court heard the couple are still together.

Thomas, from Bryngolau in Tonyrefail, admitted four counts of fraud by false representation.

Asked why he was not represented in court, he said: “I’m self-employed and it’s difficult to get legal aid. I’m in so much debt I can’t afford to pay a barrister.”

And asked if he was happy to proceed unrepresented, he replied: “I’m happy to go ahead. I did it and I’m sorry for my actions.”

Thomas told the court he used the cards to make payments of about £150 at a time for things like fuel.

He said: “I was trying so hard to earn a living and to be the provider.”

The defendant said he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and personality disorder and asked the court for help.

He added: “I was trying to do too much – coping with an illness and trying to earn a living.

“I have days where I can’t do anything and unfortunately I can’t hold down a job but I’m not living off the state – I’m trying to earn my own way.”

Thomas said he had already started paying off some of the debts.

Recorder Gregory Treverton-Jones QC explained the sentencing guidelines set out a starting point of 12 weeks in prison with a range from a community order to a year in custody.

Asked if he wished to say anything about sentencing, Thomas replied: “I don’t want to go to prison, Your Honour. I want to pay back what is owed.”

The judge noted his “full and frank” admissions and the fact he had been making efforts to repay the money.

Thomas was handed a two-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work plus a rehabilitation activity.

He must pay compensation of £2,992.51 to MBNA at a rate of £40 per month.

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