A MOTHER who was struggling to pay for Christmas has admitted fraudulently spending almost £1,000 on online goods.

Kate Mason, 27, of Whitehouse Close, Marden, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation after she used the name of her partner's ex-wife to sign up for a credit account with online retailer Very.co.uk.

In December 2018, products including a dash cam, an Apple Watch and a traditional afternoon tea for two voucher were bought by Miss Mason and delivered to her.

When Mason's partner's ex-wife was looking at her credit rating, she noticed a number of searches and found an account with Very and contacted the police.

Nicola Ritchie, prosecuting, said: "Officers attended the address of Miss Mason, executing a search warrant. They found an Apple Watch, Ralph Lauren boxer shorts and a Playstation 4 game.

"She made comments to the effect of 'something has been going on, it's me, I sold the jacket the other day'."

Emma Thorn, mitigating, said Mason had financial issues at the time and was concerned how she was going to afford Christmas.

She was "truly embarrassed" to appear at Hereford Magistrates Court.

The court heard how there is an agreement in place to repay the retailer. She was also given a nine-month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, ordered to pay £100 compensation to Ms Griffiths and fined £50.