Ahmed Al-Tai, 20, pleaded guilty to obtaining credit by deception after using credit card details in a Darwin motel’s computer system to pay for his car repairs.

Prosecutor Sergeant Justene Dwyer told the court Al-Tai was working at the motel as a receptionist in May.

She said he took the credit card details from the motel’s computer to pay more than $1000 in car repairs.

A few days later, he used the same details to pay for $1500 worth of car parts.

In both cases the victim contacted the companies and got a refund.

Al-Tai’s lawyer Peter Mariotto told the court his client had been under financial stress.

Magistrate Greg Cavanagh rejected Mr Mariotto’s submission that Al-Tai should not have a conviction recorded.

“In my view these offences are just too serious and need to have a conviction recorded,” Mr Cavanagh said.

“To pinch credit card details from an innocent person and use them not once but twice is more than just a stupid thing.”

Mr Cavanagh sentenced Al-Tai to three months in prison, fully suspended for the credit offences, and fined him $500 and disqualified his licence for six months for driving offences.

“You’d better get on top of your dishonesty, sir, or you’ll find yourself going to jail,” Mr Cavanagh said.

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