A MOTHER-of-four who fraudulently set up two mobile phone contracts with her cousin’s details and racked up a bill of more than £600 has been given a conditional discharge.

Vicki Finch, aged 28, of Drake Avenue, Dines Green, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday (Thursday, February 22).

The court heard that Finch, who had a good relationship with her cousin Toni George, set up two Talk Talk phone accounts using her details between March and September last year.

On August 7 last year, Ms George received a letter from debt collectors, in reference to a bill of £65.36

The following month, on September 15 she received another notice for a further £563.55.

Ms George was able to work out from the information provided by the debt collection company that Finch was responsible.

The email address used on the accounts linked Finch to the crime.

Mark Sheward, defending, said Finch had set up the account in her cousin’s name as she had a bad credit score.

He said: “She was intending to pay it, and she did pay it but there came a time when she had to leave the address she was living at due to domestic violence. That is when the communication with Talk Talk ended.

“She has never been in court before - she is a stranger to the court.

“This is the first time she has been in court in her life.”

He added that Finch, who has four children aged 10, seven, four and one, had accepted “responsibility and is keen to pay it (the money) back”.

Magistrates handed Finch a 12 month conditional discharge.

They also ordered Finch to pay back the £628.63 at a rate of £10 per week.

She must also pay £185 prosecution costs but the court waived the £35 victim surcharge.

For more court stories, see worcesternews.co.uk.