A Bolton woman who was asked by a judge to prove that she had suffered heart attacks and has a blind husband was telling the truth.

Regina Horvathova was found in a car in August 2022 which had been stolen in a burglary in Lostock the previous year.

She also fraudulently used a NatWest bank card which had been taken during the same break in.

Earlier this year a judge said he did not believe “a word she said” after she claimed she was a carer for a blind husband and had suffered heart attacks in custody.

But she returned to Bolton Crown Court this week where it emerged she had been telling the truth.

Judge Nicholas Clarke KC said her claims had been backed up by “medical evidence.”

She appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting two counts of handling stolen goods and three counts of fraud by false representation by using the bank cards which were stolen.

She also admitted failing to attend at court last year and that she was in breach of a suspended sentence, given out by a court in Northern Ireland, for theft.

Read more: Police seek information after robbery

Read more: Four sentenced over chop shop conspiracy

Read more: Police seized suspected stolen car

Jane Dagnall, prosecuting, said: “In July 2021 there was a burglary at a house in Lostock.

“A NatWest bank card was stolen as was a car.

“The total value of items taken was £7,000.

“The card was subsequently used on multiple occasions.

“The total value of this was just over £92.

“Horvathova was steel in the stolen car in August 2022.

“She said her husband had purchased it for £1,500.”

Amanda Johnson, defending, said: “She has found it difficult in custody.

“She has had two heart attacks.”

Judge Clarke KC said she would be released quickly due to time served if given a custodial sentence.

He said: “It is my intention to keep you in sight of the court for a longer period.”

He imposed a community order to last for two years and ordered her to do 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and to attend at the women’s problem solving court.

Horvathova, 51 and from Halliwell Road, Bolton, said through her translator: “I’ll participate and I will engage.”