A serial Isle of Wight fraudster has escaped an immediate prison sentence for using bank cards belonging to a choir member and a football player. 

Kevin Greenwood of West Street, Ryde, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 8.

He had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation, one charge of theft and another of burglary.

Liz Miller, prosecuting, said Greenwood entered All Saints Church in Ryde on December 23, 2023, while a choir was practising.

A teenaged choir member had placed a rucksack in a backroom that was inaccessible to the public but Greenwood located the bag and left the church, said Ms Miller.

The prosecution said the 44-year-old used a bank card found inside the bag in Co-op and Premier Stores in Ryde, to purchase beer and other alcohol.

Greenwood’s victim discovered her bag had been stolen after choir practice and checked her bank app, to discover money was missing, Ms Miller told the court.

On January 20, items belonging to football players at Shanklin Football Club, including a bank card, were stolen mid-match.

Ms Miller told the court Greenwood used the bank card in Tesco Express and Premier Stores in Lake.

On January 27, a woman realised she had lost her Michael Kors purse, worth £125, which contained £5 in cash, her bank card and driving licence.

By accessing her bank app, the woman realised £76.15 had been spent, Ms Miller told the court.

It was understood, Ms Miller told the court, that Greenwood had not removed the purse from his victim’s bag - he just happened to find it.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said his client had found it very hard when his father died in February 2023, saying: “Grief took some time to manifest itself and he relapsed into substance abuse and alcohol.”

Mr Vincent said Greenwood was still in grief – compounded by not being able to see his son on his birthday, just days before the offence – and drank alcohol and took Valium on the day of the All Saints Church burglary.

Greenwood had entered the church to look for somewhere to urinate, Mr Vincent told the court, and was not looking for an opportunity to steal, when he stumbled upon the room where a rucksack was placed.

Regarding the Shanklin FC incident, Mr Vincent said his client claimed he must have found the bank card on the floor, adding he has no memory of the event.

Greenwood has since undergone a successful 12-day detox at hospital and has 'regained control of his previous alcohol and substance misuse', the defence said, adding he has deep remorse, shame and guilt, particularly for the church incident.

Magistrates handed Greenwood a 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He must also complete a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement and pay considerable compensation to his victims.