A University student faces a £1,438 bill run up by a thief who stole his mobile phone.

And the debt could put Jonathan Barnes' degree hopes in jeopardy.

During the holidays Jonathan, of The Rectory, Burton, has worked at Tesco in Western Avenue, Cardiff.

He finished his shift on June 7th and rang his housemate to say where he was. He did not realise the phone was missing until the following morning.

Because he was working a nine hour shift and did not have another Orange telephone or contact telephone number to alert Orange, he could not report the telephone missing until the evening.

"I cancelled my mobile telephone and as I had emergency insurance I was able to request another phone and sim card. I thought that was the end of my problems," said Jonathan, who is studying for a BA Honours degree in business studies.

But a huge shock was in store for him when his monthly Orange bill arrived. It was for £1,438.20.

"I rang Orange and was told because this bill had accrued in between the time I no longer had possession of the phone and the time I cancelled the phone, I am liable for the entire amount. But it is hugely in excess of my normal bill of around £30 to £50."

He said the insurance condition states: "Your claim must be reported to Orange as soon as possible, in any event, not more than 24 hours after you discover the loss, theft or damage."

But despite reporting the phone missing within the time frame, giving the crime number along with a form signed by Tesco confirming he was working when the majority of calls were made, Orange still says he is liable.

Jonathan, who says he cannot see any clear way of paying the outstanding sum while continuing with his degree course, says Orange should consider barring accounts, especially student ones, when large bills are accrued in small time periods.

At the time of going to press, no-one from Orange was available for comment.