A WOMAN has appeared in court following a trio of shop thefts.

Marie Warby, 38, pleaded guilty to three charges all committed in Murton, County Durham.

Magistrates heard on August 7 she took two bottles of Smirnoff Vodka worth £30 from Cheers Off Licence, on October 11 she stole two gift sets worth £20 from G A Whitfield and on October 23 she stole cigarettes and chocolate bars valued at £34 from Costcutter.

Dave Malone, mitigating, said the defendant indicated she had been out of trouble since 2006.

However, following the death of her brother and partner in the last year, she had not been in receipt of benefits and had lost her flat, and "as a result had committed these offences".

Warby, of Porter Terrace, Murton, was given a six-month conditional discharge.