Shoplifter admits targeting Boots and New Look in Northumberland town centre

Amy Windram, of Lawfield Drive, Ayton, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft at Berwick Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard the 32-year-old stole cosmetics to the value of £95.49 from Boots and hairclips worth £1.50 from New Look on January 7.

James Long, prosecuting, said: “She went into Boots on Marygate. Staff were suspicious and asked her to leave the shop. PC Ritchie, who was on foot patrol, stopped and detained the defendant and the property was recovered.”

Ian O’Rourke, in mitigation, said the defendant was a recovering drug addict and had suffered a relapse.

“After a long period of doing extremely well she relapsed,” he said. “She was sofa surfing and someone gave her a valium type drug and she went out and committed these offences.”

Magistrates imposed a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered her to pay costs totalling £66.