A FRAUDSTER who used bank cards stolen from a couple’s home in shops and to book a taxi has been convicted after failing to show up for his trial.

Tony Coppin, 27, raided a home in Lancer Street, Colchester, snatching a purse from a bag hanging on a hook by the front door.

Ipswich Crown Court heard the occupants were upstairs at the time of the burglary, remaining unaware of the break-in until the following morning.

Two pairs of jeans were also stolen from the victim’s car, which was parked on the street outside her home.

They were later found dumped nearby underneath another car.

CCTV captured Coppin spending around £50 using bank cards stolen from the address at shops around Colchester and to get a taxi.

An abandoned bicycle and further unused discarded bank cards were found in Salisbury Avenue, between the targeted home and the Tesco store where Coppin first used the stolen cards.

Coppin, of Wick Road, Colchester, denied charges of burglary and theft, but admitted four counts of fraud in relation to the use of the bank cards.

He elected not to attend court and was tried in his absence.

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During a trial, the jury heard Coppin told officers in interview he had found a rucksack containing the bank cards.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the thief in the area where the burglary took place, which the prosecution said showed Coppin on the prowl around car ports, looking for items to steal.

Coppin denied he was the one to carry out the burglary, instead insisting he had merely been visiting his brother’s flat in Lancer Street.

The jury was told of Coppin’s previous convictions for theft and burglary.

Simon Connolly, prosecuting, said: “From the evidence, it is overwhelmingly obvious he is the one who committed the burglary that day.”

Deliberating for two hours and 52 minutes, the jury cleared Coppin on one count of theft in relation to the jeans taken from the car, but convicted him on one count of burglary.

Issuing a warrant for Coppin’s arrest, Judge David Pugh told the jury this is the defendant’s third conviction for burglary. He will be sentenced at a later date.