A South Hams mum-of-four invited as a guest to help out at a children’s birthday party stole the host’s credit card and went on a spending spree.

Gemma Trivett stole Emma Smith’s card from her purse at her home in Kingsbridge, one day in July.

South Devon Magistrates Court in Newton Abbot was told the victim quickly discovered around £1,300 had been taken from her account.

Prosecutor Chris Bittlestone told the court that 32-year-old Trivett, who has just given birth to her fourth child, spent the card on buying a Moses basket and other goods.

The victim said she ‘fuming and upset’ that a so called friend who had been invited to her child’s party should steal from her.

Simon Colman, defending, said the single mum was ‘financially struggling and saw an opportunity out of desperation’.

She bought online goods and was always going to be found out because they were delivered to her home address.

Trivett, of Woodford, near Blackawton, admitted theft and fraud by false representation.

Magistrates gave her a two-year conditional discharge, ordered her to pay £150 compensation and £210 costs, calling the offence a ‘nasty breach of trust’.