A 54-year-old man has admitted in court to using his dead mother’s bank card to withdraw nearly £3,000.

Brian Edwards, of no fixed abode in Watford, appeared at St Albans Magistrates’ Court this morning (September 30) charged with one count of fraud by false representation.

The 54-year-old pleaded guilty to “dishonestly making a false representation” by using his deceased relative's card to make payments and withdraw cash in Watford to the tune of £2944.25 between January 8 and March 21 last year.

Magistrates ordered he carry out a rehabilitation activity of up to 15 days and complete 40 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months.

Also in court:

A 16-year-old from Watford appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (September 24) charged with possessing a bladed article in a public place.

The teen admitted having a “hunting knife” at London Euston Station on September 4 and was referred to the Hertfordshire youth offender panel for nine months, meaning the offence will be dealt with by a team of volunteers and justice system representatives.