A RYDE couple have apologised to a 70-year-old widow after they used her bank card to buy vodka and groceries.

Natalie Fleming, 37, and her partner Glen Barry Millmore, 44, entered guilty pleas to joint charges of theft and fraud by false representation, at Isle of Wight Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday).

The court heard the pair, of George Street, stole the bank card at a Leo Leisure bingo event in Ryde, on December 1 last year.

They then proceeded to spend £296.25 at various retail outlets — Millmore bought vodka and cigarettes to sell on to fund his cocaine habit and Fleming bought groceries, the court heard.

They both used the contactless payment feature to access the victim's funds.

Prosecuting, Ann Smout said the victim had been to a bingo event with friends.

Mrs Smout said: "She put her personal belongings on the table in front of her as she did often.

"She then left to go to the toilet. It was then her card was stolen, but she didn't realise because she had a win at bingo that day."

The victim realised she was missing her card after a few days.

She retraced her steps and remembered seeing Millmore and Fleming acting suspiciously in the bingo hall after she returned from the toilet.

She then saw transactions on her account she did not recognise and called police.

Officers were able to gather CCTV images of the card being used and identified the couple.

In a statement, read out in court, the victim said: "I felt physically sick. I felt very saddened that someone would steal from me."

For the defendants, Barry Arnett said Millmore accepted he stole the card, but that he picked it up off the floor and did not go through her bag.

Mr Arnett also explained Fleming suffered from a personality disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other debilitating conditions.

He added the couple wished to apologise for the offence and showed genuine remorse when they found out the victim's age.

The couple were ordered to pay £148 each in compensation to the victim and pay £30 each in surcharges, as well as splitting an £85 charge for court costs.