Two stolen bank cards led to a gang of four going on a spending spree for luxury goods in Kidderminster, Worcester Crown Court was told.

The cards issued by the Yorkshire Bank and Capital One were spotted in a purse inside an open back door and the intruder also discovered the pin number, said Paul Whitfield, prosecuting.

Joanne Railton, who took the cards, went on to draw out £2,800 cash. She handed the cards to three associates, who bought more than £2,000 worth of goods at local stores.

Railton, aged 32, of Pleasant Street, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to burglary and fraudulent use of the cards. She was said to have 32 previous convictions for 87 offences, mostly for theft.

Recorder Stuart Sprawson said she was the prime mover in the conspiracy to use the stolen cards. He jailed her for a total of 23 months and made a restraining order for three years to prevent her contacting the victim Pamela Brighton.

Ruth Edwards, for Railton, pointed out that she had not broken into Miss Brighton's property but had just taken advantage when she found the back door open. Railton had suffered from a drug addiction for many years and had used some of the stolen cash to fund her habit.

Others who took part in the conspiracy were Michelle Crowther, 37, of Usmere Road, Nathan Braham, 20, of Land Oak Drive, and Robert Wareing, 54, of Witley Close, all Kidderminster. They all entered guilty pleas to the conspiracy to defraud.

They were all given community orders, Crowther and Wareing for 18 months and Braham for 12 months.

The Recorder said the victim was a vulnerable woman whose life had been badly affected. He felt that Railton had deliberately targeted her house. She was reluctant to go out and answer her door. The money taken was part of the life savings and only £2,500 was being reimbursed by one of the banks.