A MAN went on a mini-spending spree with a stolen bank card he found while walking his dog, a court heard.

Kenneth Chance purchased cigarettes, tobacco and dog food from three stores after finding the contactless card on the ground.

Police investigating the card, which had been stolen in a burglary that morning, tracked the 37-year-old to his home.

When they arrived, officers found a small amount of cocaine and a stun gun.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, Chance was told he faced a possible jail term when he is sentenced next month.

The court heard how the card was stolen during a burglary at the card owner’s home, in New Milton, on the morning of September 20.

At 8.35am, the card owner received a text from her bank, saying her card had been used in a number of a suspicious transactions.

Police reviewed CCTV at three locations where the card had been used, at Tesco, McColls and Morrisons in New Milton and saw Chance at all three.

At the latter, Chance made three unsuccessful attempts to buy items using the card’s contactless system, before walking out without paying.

He was arrested by police, after spending more than £65.

In interview, he told police he had found the card while walking his dog.

Officers found no evidence linking Chance to the burglary.

However, police did find a stun gun and a small quantity of cocaine, which he claimed was bicarbonate of soda, during a search of his home.

In mitigation, Nicola Attwood said her client had “never committed a burglary”, despite his chequered past.

She said: “He found the card and he has absolutely no money because he is dependant on benefits.

“He simply found the card and The temptation was too much.”

She said Chance had purchased the cigarettes and tobacco to sell on for money and the dog food to help feed his pet.

Chance, of Nelson Close, New Milton, pleaded guilty to three counts of card fraud and one count of theft.

He also admitted possession of a weapon and a class A drug.

Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report for Chance before his sentencing next month.

Chance was denied bail ahead of his sentencing on June 12.