The credit card details of hotel guests provided t

The credit card details of hotel guests provided the information for a fraudster’s pnds stlng 2,500 spending spree, a jury heard today.

(Tues)

Steven Foster, 32, used data relating to four City businessmen and women who stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, in London’s Old Street.

He used the information to order a variety of items from two wholesalers, House of Catering, of Southgate, north London, and Bristol-based Nisbets Catering.

In addition the VW Beetle driving defendant is alleged to have ordered parts for his car from Mega Bug, of Plumstead.

At London’s Southwark Crown Court, Foster, of 36, Hilldrop Crescent, Highbury, north London, denies for charges of obtaining by deception.

‘It is the prosecution case that this defendant used other people’s credit card details to order goods from a number of outlets,’ said barrister Peter Grieves-Smith.

‘Obviously, if you are going to use someone else’s credit card details, you have got to have a name and have got to have the right number.

‘What happens in all four offences is the defendant has somehow got the details from the Holiday Inn.

‘

In June 1999, Mr Grieves-Smith alleges Foster – said to have links with the pub catering trade – ordered a pnds stlng 683 sink unit and taps from the House of
Catering, later delivered to an address in Clapton, east London.

In March last year, two orders were placed with Nisbets.

The first, worth pnds stlng 874 and the second pnds stlng 967.

The equipment, delivered to Foster’s home address included two cash registers, a meat slicer, a fly-killer, and a microwave oven, again delivered to Hilldrop Crescent.

The prosecutor also alleged that in the same month Foster ordered a fuel pump and headlamp seals for his VW Beetle, worth pnds stlng 32, from Mega Bug, and once again the parts were sent to his home.

Foster was arrested when a supplier queried a credit card sale of painting and decorating materials.

Mr Grieve-Smith said it was clear the defendant had used the credit card details of the hotel guests.

‘Quite how he got them is unclear but you will hear a large number of documents, registration cards and credit card swipe receipts, were found at his home,’ he said.

‘What he then does is the same thing in every case – he telephones to use the details and order the goods.

‘

Counsel said it was ‘inconceivable’ another person living at the same address was ‘carrying out the same kind of fraud with the same details and in the same way.

‘It is obviously one fraudster and it quite clearly points to Foster carrying out the transactions.

‘

The jury heard catalogues for the two catering equipment suppliers were also found at Foster’s home.

The trial continues.

ends