Woman, who had put crime behind her, steals from store after drugs relapse

A shoplifter, who helped herself to deodorant worth almost £100 from Wilkos store in Burnley, had relapsed into drugs misuse, a court heard.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Mar 2017, 13:12 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 10:56 BST
A woman appeared before Burnley Magistrates Court after stealing 100 worth of deodorant from a storeA woman appeared before Burnley Magistrates Court after stealing 100 worth of deodorant from a store
A woman appeared before Burnley Magistrates Court after stealing 100 worth of deodorant from a store

Mary Ellen Howarth, (45) Hollingreave Road, Burnley, had managed to put crime behind her after three years on the straight and narrow, but filled her bag with the goods in a bid to take them to sell.

Burnley magistrates were told how Howarth had now sought help again from Inspire, the drugs treatment service.

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The defendant admitted theft in the Burnley store on Wednesday, February 1st.

The bench, who were told that Howarth was now getting proper medical assistance, gave her a nine- month conditional discharge and told her to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs.

Mr Mark Williams, defending, said Howarth had been doing very well until she relapsed into drugs misuse.

He said: "It's such a shame."