A woman, who opened a credit account in her neighbour’s name and bought goods worth more than £1000, was keen to show off her new purchases.
Lisa Rutherford’s shopping spree included two large screen TVs, a microwave and other items.
The drug addict then invited the neighbour into her home to show off her new goods.
The neighbour was not initially suspicious but later received a letter about a credit card she had not applied for.
Rutherford, 53, of Park Road, Cowdenbeath, appeared back at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
She previously admitted that between November 18 and December 1, 2024, she gave a false name to the Littlewoods Group claiming to be her neighbour.
She used the woman’s personal details to open a credit account in her name and obtained goods worth £1005 by fraud.
The court was told Rutherford had tried to open credit accounts with various retailers.
Rutherford, who was representing herself at an earlier hearing, was asked by Sheriff Mark Thorley why she had committed the crime.
She replied: “It was the cost of living and I was also taking drugs at that time. I didn’t mean to do it.”
She added that she had sold one of the TVs.
At sentencing Rutherford was represented by solicitor Sonya Jones who said: “She was addicted to drugs at the time.”
Sheriff Neil Kinnear put Rutherford on a structured deferred sentence and she will return to court on January 27.
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