Tooting man fined after being caught with stolen credit cards

2:40pm Wednesday 5th November 2008

A Tooting man caught with stolen credit cards in a room he shares with his brother escaped with a fine after the judge said he was put in a difficult situation.

Samuel Burrell, 25, of Yelverton Road, was charged with handling stolen goods after police raided his house on July 25 looking for drugs and found five cards hidden inside a speaker, the court heard.

Mr Burrell had not tried to use the cards and told police he did not know who they belonged to. He said a friend of his brother had given him the cards to look after but he did not know they stolen.

The former admin worker had recently quit his job in North London to work in a mobile phone store closer to his home but was sacked for having time off to come to court.

South Western Magistrates’ Court also heard that his mum, who he lives with, has now asked his brother to leave the family home.

Judge Baynes warned Mr Burrell to stay away from his brother and his friends and gave him a £285 fine at a hearing on Friday, October 31.