AN ALCOHOLIC mum has been handed an 18-month community order for stealing a wallet and using a debit card from it to buy tobacco and vodka.

Rachel Brady, 31 of Botley Road in Oxford, appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday to be sentenced for committing fraud.

Brady broke into a car in Oxford to steal the wallet and then purchased tobacco, a bottle of drink and a bottle of vodka for the price of £43.51.

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The victim had to replace ID cards, but Halifax bank reimbursed the money spent on the stolen card.

The incident was described as an ‘opportunistic’ offence to feed Brady’s alcohol addiction which is something she has been battling for years.

Brady has previously tried to engage in a detox centre in the north of England, but this time she said the only way to get sober was to go to custody.

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However, after six weeks in custody, Brady’s benefits have stopped.

Brady wants to rebuild her relationship with her children, and it was suggested she should continue with visits to her GP and addiction charity Turning Point to help her overcome her alcoholism.

The 31-year-old was sentenced to an 18-month community order and a 30-day ‘alcohol toolkit’ programme to help her addiction. Brady will also have to pay £100 in costs and a victim surcharge of £80 as well as paying back Halifax bank the £43.51 used on the stolen debit card.