A PROLIFIC thief with more than 100 offences to her name has appeared in court charged with stealing toiletries.

Colleen Dresser pleaded guilty at Darlington Magistrates' Court to taking £46.01worth of items from B&M Stores, North Road, Darlington, on February 27.

Blair Martin, prosecuting, said Dresser had paid for some items, but tried to leave without paying for others.

Dresser also appeared in court earlier this month faciing a shoplifting charge, which occurred when she was on licence from prison for drug dealing.

Yesterday, the court heard that she had stolen from B&M Stores before the shoplifting offence she committed while on licence.

Dresser's solicitor, Robert Willoughby, said his client had stolen the items to help pay a £300 gas bill, which someone had run up at her house but had not paid.

He said that her licence was about to be revoked and she was due to return to prison for another 28 days.

She was also subject to two drug rehabilitation orders, which would continue upon her release from prison.

Magistrates gave Dresser to a six-month conditional discharge. Chairwoman Christine Selby said: "We are keen your problems are being addressed and are glad the orders will continue upon your release."