A SHOPLIFTER who stole perfume worth £212 from t Debenhams in Carlisle city centre blamed her offending on stress.

At the city's Rickergate Magistrates' Court, Joan Marshall Douglas, 56, admitted the theft. She was caught outside the store with the perfume she stole by staff, prosecutor Pam Ward told the court.

They had earlier watched as the defendant picked up the perfume and slipped the bottle into her bag. She went on to browse through clothes and then looked at a pair of boots, which she paid for at the till. But she left the store without paying for the perfume.

"She said she intended to give the perfume away as birthday presents," said Mrs Ward, adding that the defendant has previous convictions for dishonesty.

John Smith, for Douglas, who lives at Buchannan Place, Upperby, said: "She commits these offences at times of great stress. The trigger on this occasion was the death of some friends who live locally in Carlisle; and the circumstances of the deaths wasn't standard. She felt under pressure and under stress... She has now been to see her GP.

"She hopes she will not be before the court again."

District Judge Gerald Chalk fined Douglas £120, with £85 costsd and a £32 victim surcharge.