A fraudster who withdrew £250 using a bank card from a stolen wallet has avoided jail.

Arron Down, 24, stole a handbag and a wallet in Sutton Central Library on two separate occasions before committing fraud in St Nicholas Shopping Centre earlier this year.

Down, of Cadogan Court, Sutton first stole a light brown handbag from a woman visiting the library on Thursday, February 5, and was seen entering the Civic Offices at 3.13pm and leaving with the handbag at 3.18pm.

On Friday, February 13, Down then stole a wallet from a man using the computers on the library's top floor who had put his jacket on the back of the chair.

Later that same day Down committed fraud by using the bank card found inside the wallet and withdrew £250 from NatWest, Sutton. He was identified by officers after they checked the branch's CCTV footage.

Down pleaded guilty to all charges and was then sentenced at Croydon Magistrates Court on Thursday, June 18, to 18 weeks jailed suspended for 12 months.

He was ordered to take part in a drug rehabilitation programme.