A Sandys landscaper was dealt $1,800 in fines after he admitted using a stolen bank card to buy alcohol and cigarettes.

Robert DeSilva, 40, pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court on Monday to charges that he stole a bank card and $10 in cash on October 1.

He also admitted two counts of dishonestly obtaining goods from Maximart in Sandys the following day when he used the stolen card.

The court heard that on October 1, the complainant had gone to Generosa’s in Southampton for food but accidentally left her wallet behind.

When she returned the following day she found the wallet, but discovered cash and a bank card had been removed.

Bank records showed the card had been used shortly after 10am on October 2 at Maximart to buy $227 of cigarettes and alcohol, and then again later that morning to buy another $206 of similar goods.

Staff, who recognised the customer as DeSilva, said he later attempted a third transaction but then left the shop as workers called the police.

DeSilva pleaded guilty to all four charges, but said he found the card rather than stealing it.

Senior Magistrate Juan Wolffe however said: “Depending on the circumstances you can steal by finding.”

He fined DeSilva $300 for the theft of $10, $500 for the theft of the card and $500 for each of his attempts to use the stolen card.