A Sunderland University student who used cloned credit cards to buy goods appeared in court yesterday.

Adebayo Abdul, 28, used the cards, which had been cloned from unsuspecting customers in America, and spent more than £40 on items such as cigarettes and phone cards at garages in Newcastle.

Adbul, of Manor Park, London, admitted obtaining by deception and attempting to obtain by deception.

At the time of the fraudulent transactions he was doing a masters degree in electronic communication at Sunderland University.

He was given a community rehabilitation order for 12 months and a community punishment order for 40 hours.