Tourists suspected of going on stolen credit card spree

By a Staff Reporter

THREE BRITISH tourists were remanded for five days in custody yesterday suspected of using a stolen credit card to run up a total of 3,645 at 12 separate locations in Ayia Napa.

Jane Crawford, 28, Mark Leacock, 33, and Sean Lee, 20, allegedly went on the stealing spree from Monday to Friday at shops and restaurants in the resort town that were not equipped with an electronic JCC system, capable of tracking stolen or faulty credit cards.

Investigating officer Steve Theodoulou told Famagusta District Court that he was investigating 12 counts of using false identity, forgery, eliciting goods on false pretences, circulating forged documents, and theft.

The police said that on Friday Crawford and Leacock allegedly tried to use the American Express card, issued in the name of P. Turner, to buy 600 worth of jewellery.

Crawford said she handed over the card, but that the JCC machine refused to accept it.

Crawford and Leacock then fled on the back of a motorbike, hired by Leacock, the court heard.

Crawford told the court she found the card while she was walking around Ayia Napa.

Police asked the court for a six-day remand, to give them time to collect another 25 statements relating to the case.