A broke single mum-of-two "stole the identity" of a former tenant to buy Christmas presents for her children.

Georgina Metcalfe, of Barnwood, used details of the man, who lived in the flat before her, to set up credit accounts.

Gloucester magistrates heard she copied the details from a catalogue sent to her address in December last year, after the previous tenant left.

She bought £1,479 of goods, including children's clothing and a Nintendo game system over the internet.

The 30-year-old admitted fraud when she appeared before District Judge Martin Brown at Gloucester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Sharon Green, prosecuting, said: "The defendant used a previous tenant's details to open credit accounts and order goods over the internet.

"When the landlord noticed deliveries of goods and contacted the former tenant he said he had not ordered them and the police were informed."

Claire Gooding, defending, said: "My client, who has one child aged one and another aged seven, encountered financial difficulties and could not keep up with her friends.

"As Christmas was approaching she wanted to buy her children goods, but when she tried to open credit accounts she was refused."

District judge Brown gave her a 12-month community order with a two-month curfew and ordered her to complete 60 hours of unpaid work.

Metcalfe was also ordered to pay £1,479 compensation.