A FRAUDSTER who secretly used a woman’s credit card has been forced to repay more than £17,000.

Mark David Freeman, 53, not only used his victim's existing card but took out new ones in her name and that of her son, spending a total of £21,730. He was convicted on 16 counts of fraud by false representation at Bournemouth Crown Court in August last year.

Investigators discovered that Freeman had inherited a large quantity of money from his aunt’s estate following her death in January that year, and now that money has finally been confiscated to repay his victims.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Kennard, of Dorset Police’s Economic Crime Unit, said: "Freeman's victim will be fully reimbursed for her loss and the banks will receive approximately 75 per cent of their losses.

"If Freeman comes into further assets in the future, we can seek to apply to the courts again for the full amount of the order which will compensate the banks the remaining 25 per cent.

"We will take every available opportunity to deprive criminals of their illegal gain to directly compensate victims of crime, ensuring offenders are held to account and victims are put first.

"We hope this sends out a clear message to offenders that they will be dealt with through the courts and forced to pay for their crimes."

Freeman, of Verwood, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on September 8, 2014, to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months, and 250 hours of unpaid work.

His crimes had been discovered when the victim found letters from the banks regarding applications Freeman had made in her name. When the victim confronted him he fled but was later arrested by officers.

At the hearing a confiscation order was made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The £17,497 in Freeman's bank account was restrained by the court and on August 21 this year the full amount was officially confiscated.