A teen was left with rent arrears and struggling to buy food during the first Covid lockdown after a woman stole his benefit money.

Chelsea Amelia Tracey, 21, entered into a verbal agreement with the male – then aged 17 – during April, 2020.

It was agreed his Universal Credit would be paid into her account as he didn’t have one. She would withdraw cash and hand it over.

A first £220 payment was deposited into Tracey’s building society account.

She arranged for a third party to hand-deliver £200 she withdrew – that sum being £20 short.

“When he made enquiries, he was told the reason for this was down to a cash machine swallowing her bank card,” prosecutor George Shelley told Carlisle magistrates’ court.

“She said when she received a new one she would get the remainder of the money.”

Numerous messages passed between the pair but the £20 remained outstanding.

In early May 2020 the teen received a new bank card and arranged for money to be paid directly to him.

However, that missed a cut-off point and £311 instead went into Tracey’s account.

“He alerted her to this,” said Mr Shelley.

“Unfortunately, he did not receive any of that money either and he is £331 out of pocket.”

In an impact statement, the teen described being ‘solely reliant’ on benefit money.

“This has affected my life as I can’t pay my rent and I am in arrears,” he stated.

“I have been struggling to buy food and have had to borrow money from my family members. Not having this money has affected me in a huge way.”

Tracey initially denied theft. She failed to attend her trial, was convicted in her absence and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She appeared in court from custody.

Tracey recalled an argument with the victim, and him allegedly becoming ‘more and more demanding’ and ‘threatening’.

Her solicitor Steven Marsh spoke of an initially amicable agreement, saying: “It became theft when she failed to return that (money) in accordance with the agreement.”

A probation officer told the court: “She is remorseful for her offending and she is willing to pay in full the compensation to the victim.”

Tracey, of Marks Avenue, Carlisle, received a 12-month community order. She must complete rehabilitation, was fined £115 and must pay £331 compensation.