A 'NOSY' pet-sitter stole thousands of pounds after finding a bank card in his victim's home.

Joe Taylor entered a guilty plea to one count of fraud by false representation and a guilty plea to one count of burglary on a basis that he had not entered as a trespasser when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford in November.

The victim had been on holiday when the offences took place between August 15 and 19, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

But on their return from holiday, the victim realised that between £6,350 and £8,750 had been withdrawn from their savings account.

The card for the account had been kept in a bedroom in the home, the court heard.

Taylor had been left with a key to their home in order to make visits to the property to check on their pets while they were away, but had not been given permission to and would have no reason to go upstairs, Mr Hambling said.

In police interview, Taylor said he was guilty and that he had looked in the bedroom because he was being nosy.

He told officers he had seen something shiny and investigated, finding the bank card and a PIN written on a piece of paper stored in a box, and withdrew all funds.

Mr Hambling said he was asking for the case to be sent to the crown court for sentencing.

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Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Taylor, said the 38-year-old had been given permission to enter the house and had used a key to do so.

"He accepts he did not have permission to go into the bedrooms," she said.

Miss Di Vitantonio said the offence had been committed on impulse and that there are mental health issues that need to be taken into account.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction of the case and Taylor, of Poorscript Lane, Grosmont, was sent to Worcester Crown Court for sentencing, where he will appear on December 16.

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