A WOMAN attempted to dispose of thousands of pounds worth of property within hours of it being stolen in a house burglary.

Rebecca Reid was caught after she used one of the stolen bank cards to transfer £267, in five transactions, to her own Paypal account.

At Bolton Crown Court she was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.

Simon Barrett, prosecuting, told the court how Mr and Mrs Currie left their home on August 26 2017 and returned later to discover a break-in, with the whole house searched and a laptop, jewellery, watches, an iPad, bank cards, passports and money missing.

The same day Mr Currie was contacted by his bank to say one of the cards had been used, they disclosed Reid's name and police were informed.

CCTV from outside Reid's home showed her and a man leaving the flat at 2.30pm, returning at 5pm carrying items later identified as Mr Currie's.

"She also sent a text message that night saying she had 'gear and cards to shift'," said Mr Barrett.

Reid, aged 39, of Hebden Court, Wadsley Street, Bolton, pleaded guilty to fraud and handling stolen goods.

Kevin Liston, defending, described Reid, who has drug problems, as 'a vulnerable and isolated individual'.

In addition to the suspended prison sentence, the Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Timothy Clayson, ordered Reid to participate in 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

He told Reid: "Clearly you need to get away from cocaine. If you can do that your life will be much more stable."