A conman who tried to buy a smartphone using somebody else's credit card was caught thanks to an eagle-eyed Carlisle shop worker.

Shane Kevin Fitzpatrick, 25, travelled to the city from London to carry out the fraud at the Kingstown branch of Currys PC World, falsely claiming he was the card’s owner as he tried to buy the £600 Samsung phone.

But Martin Harrison, the worker he was dealing with, quickly realised that the seemingly simple transaction was not what it had first seemed.

“The defendant gave his details, claiming to be somebody called Robert Easton, and Mr Harrison asked him a series of standard questions,” said Peter Kelly, prosecuting at Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates' Court.

“But the defendant's responses did not flow naturally.

“Mr Harrison became suspicious when the male was unable to supply certain personal details without looking at one of the mobile phones he already had with him.

“He went on to give a wrong door number for the address he gave.”

His suspicions aroused, Mr Harrison alerted other staff in the store who in turn contacted the police as the worker continued talking to Fitzpatrick, ostensibly making a second attempt to use the credit card for payment after it was declined by the machine.

Mr Kelly said Mr Harrison deliberately delayed the failed card transaction, giving police time to reach the store. Officers arrived a short time later and arrested the defendant.

When quizzed about his actions, Fitzpatrick gave a no comment interview.

Mr Kelly said that the defendant had last appeared in court in 2016 for an offence of possessing a controlled substance, though he also had dishonestly convictions on his record.

“This offence was not particularly sophisticated, but there was a degree of planning,” added Mr Kelly.

Addressing magistrates, Fitzpatrick, of Stonebridge Park, London, who had no criminal record until 2013, said: “I take full responsibility for my actions.”

He said he was brought to Carlisle by somebody else to commit the fraud and that his previous offending was to fund his drug use. However, he was now living with his sister and working as a labourer.

Magistrates imposed a community order, with a condition that he complete 120 hours of unpaid work in the community. He must also pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.