An Ammanford man attempted to charge a stolen debit card with debts of more than £10,000.

David Anthony, of Maesquarre Road, admitted stealing a debit card from Capel Hendre Post Office when he appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The 41-year-old, who works in a factory in Llandeilo, found the card in a cashpoint machine at the post office on December 18.

He proceeded to try and make five payments from the card, totalling £10,633.80.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, said: “The complainant in this matter says she went to the post office in Capel Hendre to make a withdrawal on her bank card.

“She put her card in the machine, but it did not read the card and she forgot it. When she went back for it, it was no longer there.

“She enquired with staff and saw the defendant on CCTV taking the card. Further transactions were undertaken, and more CCTV footage shows it was him who was responsible.

“The largest transaction was for £9,900 via Credit Union in order to pay off a loan.

“Nationwide have reimbursed the complainant for £350 which was the amount that was taken, the other payments were declined.”

Mitigating, Richard Morgan said: “From the outset the defendant wished to apologise for his actions which were very much out of character.

“He made full admissions when questioned and has no issue with compensation or payment.

“He has been suffering from depression and has been seeing experts for his condition. He is in full time employment but couldn’t pay for the treatment. That is what the large payment was for.

“He did not think of the consequences.”

District Judge Christopher James ordered Anthony to complete 180 hours of unpaid work for the theft and five counts of fraud he admitted.

He also told Anthony to pay £350 compensation, an £85 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.

He added: “The complainant in this case was 74-years-old and this ordeal would have caused significant distress to that individual.”