Suspended sentence for man who claimed his 'alter ego' took over when using a lost bank card

A man who claimed his 'alter ego' took over once he found a lost bank card has received a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrates' Court. 

Christopher Woods (60) of Duke Street in Derry admitted a series of charges involving using the card to buy items valued at more than £300 on May 17.

The court heard that the injured party lost the card in Foyleside Shopping Centre and then noticed a series of transactions on it.

The defendant was identified and when searched the bank card was found.

He told police he had been behaving himself until he found the card and his alter ego took over.

Defence counsel Sean Doherty described this as 'a mean offence' and said he should have handed the card back.

Woods was given a three month sentence suspended for two years.