Jeffrey John Davies, 37, of Limekilns Road did not appear on November 6 to answer the charges against him and magistrate Michael Allen convicted him in his absence on two counts of obtaining benefit by deception.

The court heard there was a break-in at a home in Sundowner Drive, Kelso on July 18 where an amount of property was stolen, including car keys and a wallet containing credit cards.

A handbag containing a wallet and credit cards was also stolen from the car.

 At 2.35am, Davies attended the BP Service Station at Kelso and selected a number of items including food and drink. He then used one of the stolen cards to purchase the items valued at $30.80, using the Paywave feature.

The transaction was declined because the owner had transferred money out of the account after the break-in and Davies left the store after declining to pay.

At 2.43am, Davies attended the 7-Eleven service station and attempted to buy cigarettes to the value of $19.99, but again the transaction was declined.

Police phoned the accused on July 20 and, unprompted, he said he had found the credit cards.

On September 4, the accused went to Bathurst police station and handed himself in in relation to the offences. He was arrested and offered the opportunity to seek legal advice, which he declined.

During an interview the accused stated he did not know anything about the break-in that had occurred on July 18.

The accused did, however, make full and frank admissions to locating the cards on the ground in a laneway neat the BP service station at Kelso and attempting to purchase food and cigarettes on both of the victim’s cards.

On the first count of dishonestly obtaining a benefit by deception, he was convicted and fined $100.

On the second count of obtaining a benefit by deception, he was convicted and ordered to pay $100.