A SHOPLIFTER tried to steal items to give to her children as Christmas presents, a court has heard.

Denise Elizabeth Brill-Edwards attempted to swipe perfume and gifts sets of an unknown value from Boots in November last year.

The 44-year-old was warned by a judge she could go to prison next time.

Brill-Edwards, of Little Union Street in Ulverston, appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

She admitted stealing cosmetics, toiletries and gift sets from Boots and meat from the Co-op in Ulverston on December 22 and November 30 respectively.

She also pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol worth up to £258.85 from Booths in Kendal on November 13 and the attempted theft from Boots on the same day.

Prosecutor Rachel Ottley said the total value of the items Brill-Edwards stole came to £623 and the value of the goods she attempted to steal from Boots “was quite a significant amount”.

“The main aggravating feature of this offence is the defendant’s previous record,” Ms Ottley explained.

“Her last conviction was in June of 2019 and that sentence was part of other shoplifting offences.”

Defence solicitor Andy Gallagher accepted the defendant had a record of theft and said she was disappointed with her behaviour by going back to her previous ways.

“When this occurred, we were approaching Christmas and in October her benefits had been stopped as her Personal Independence Payment was under review and at that point she was struggling financially,” he said.

“She and her partner were attending local foodbanks in order to feed themselves.

“She wanted to provide Christmas presents for her children but simply did not have the money to do that.

“She made this ‘stupid decision’ in her words to go back to her previous behaviour of shoplifting.”

Mr Gallagher urged the court to deal with the matter by way of community order.

He said due to the defendant’s disability after losing a leg and using a wheelchair, unpaid work may be impractical.

District Judge John Temperley said: “It is surprising to me that you would be so foolish as to commit so many offences in such a short period of time.

“However, I am not going to send you into custody today, but you need to be aware that if this continues I may have to deal with this by way of custody.”

He issued a 10 week curfew meaning she must stay at home between 8pm and 6am.

She must also pay £300 compensation with £65 going to the Co-op, £100 to Booths and £165 to Boots.