A MUM-OF-TWO must pay more than £400 of compensation after stealing cosmetics, cleaning products, meat, and coffee from three supermarkets in Northwich.

Jane Sharpe, of Oak Street, Northwich, appeared in Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, October 21, charged with three counts of theft from a shop.

The court heard on July 14 this year, she stole £150 worth of cleaning products from Quality Save, and £95 worth of coffee and meat from Asda on August 6.

A third count related to £200 worth of cosmetics she stole from Sainsburys on September 4.

The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to all three offences.

Sharpe has 17 previous convictions for theft, all committed between 2001 and 2008.

In mitigation, the court heard how Sharpe had issues with drugs but hadn't used them, nor stolen anything, for 14 years.

This summer, the mum-of-two had experienced family problems which led to her becoming depressed and temporarily falling back into drug use.

Since her last arrest, she has attended a four-week drug rehabilitation programme and has a related low dose prescription.

Chair of magistrates, Jean Bamford, said: "You have let yourself down, Miss Sharpe."

She was given a conditional discharge, ordered to pay compensation to the value of the goods stolen, and a surcharge of £26.

Sharpe's total court bill was £471, to be repaid at £20 per month.