7:29am Thursday 3rd April 2008
A MAN who stole a handbag from a parked car in Upton-upon-Severn and forged cheques has appeared before Worcester magistrates.
Stephen Bradley, of Stoke Turn Court, Stoke Heath,Bromsgrove, admitted two counts of fraud by false representation and one theft from a motor vehicle in January this year.
Baljinder Kaur, prosecuting, said a woman hadparked and securely locked her car in Upton on Tuesday, January 22.
However, when she returned at 10.30pm she found the window had been smashed and her handbag stolen.
The handbag had contained her purse, shop vouchers, a cheque bookand two cheques whichwere signed and waiting to be sent.
A farmer in Defford laterfound the handbag in one of his fields, and traces of Bradley's blood were found inside it.
When interviewed by the police, Bradley admitted he had been in Upton and needed the money to get back home.
He had also made outcheques to himself which he had attempted to then cash.
In mitigation, Jason Patel said Bradley had been inemployment, but lost his job at Christmas last year.
Mr Patel said Bradley had walked past the vehicle and spotted the car and handbag, so decided to break into it.
Chairman of the magistrates Chris Bull gave Bradley three concurrent community orders of 12 months and supervision with the probation service. He also has to pay a total of £430.
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