A WOMAN stole a friend's Gala Bingo card after he lived at her home rent-free for six months, a court heard.

Police gave Clare Mowlam the opportunity to repay Andrew Pike £170 after she swiped a pre-paid bingo card on a trip to Tower Park in September 2017.

However, she failed to pay up and was charged with theft.

On Friday afternoon, she appeared before magistrates at Poole to admit the offence.

The court heard Mowlam, 44, had referred to Mr Pike as 'dad'. The two often played bingo together.

Mr Pike used top-up cards to play the game. The cards require PIN numbers.

On September 20, he realised he was missing a card with some £177 credit. Footage recorded on CCTV cameras at Gala showed Mowlam had stolen it.

The defendant, who was not represented in court, said she hadn't repaid Mr Pike when given the opportunity by police as she is facing eviction from her home in Peverell Road, Poole.

"I'm paying my rental arrears off," she said.

When told her offence constituted a breach of trust, she replied: "It is, yeah.

"I had Mr Pike living with me for six months. He didn't pay any rent. He knew the position I was in with housing.

"He phoned me up one night at 10.30pm asking he he could stay for the weekend and he ended up staying for six months.

"I was feeding him - he didn't contribute anything,

"I regretted what I did the second I did it. I do still regret it. I've lost a massive friendship."

Mowlam was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay Mr Pike £170.

Magistrates waived the usual court costs and victim surcharge because of her financial situation.