An Ipswich store was targeted by tricksters who were dishonestly trying to claim cash refunds, a court has heard.

Staff at Argos in the town alerted the police after a woman tried to claim a cash refund for a DVD player and when the woman was traced back to a van parked in a nearby car park officers discovered found a £4,000 stash of other goods including printers and cameras and receipts for Argos, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Before the court were Marianne Nawarycz, 32, and Roy Pickens, 64, both of Nottingham. Nawarycz admitted fraud by false representation, possessing criminal property and possessing articles for use in fraud and was given a six month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to 120 hours unpaid work. Pickens admitted two offences of possessing criminal property and possessing articles for use in fraud and was jailed for ten months.

Edward Renvoize, prosecuting, said that after Narwarycz went into the Ipswich store in September last year police searched Picken’s address and found further electrical items.

Mr Renvoize said the goods found in the van had stickers on them which came from the company’s warehouse. He said the goods and receipts had somehow been obtained and were to be used to dishonestly obtain cash refunds.

He said a print out of Argos stores along the A14 was found in the van.