A WOMAN was set up as the ‘fall guy’ as she made contactless purchases using a stolen bank card to pay off a historic drug debt.

Blackburn magistrates heard Andrea Smith had rejected the dealer's offer to let her work off the debt through sexual favours.

Instead she reduced the debt by £5 every time she used the card.

“She was the fall guy,” said Jonathan Taylor, defending.

“She was the one who was caught on CCTV and was going to be recognised and charged. The dealers remain in the shadows, forcing someone else to commit the crime.”

Smith, 40, of Whitehead Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to handling a stolen bank card and nine charges of fraudulent use of the card in Blackburn on November 19. She was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months, complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and pay a £115 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the card had been left in an insecure car and stolen overnight.

Before the owner reported the theft the card had been used nine times to make purchases totalling £173.

Mr Taylor said Smith was making great strides in her life and was no longer using illegal drugs.

“She had been avoiding the drug dealer but drug debts are always enforced and eventually he caught up with her,” said Mr Taylor.