A WREXHAM woman has been handed a community order after she admitted stealing from seven shops in one day.

Nia Watson, of Cefn Road, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old admitted seven counts of theft, all of which took place in May at stores in Wrexham, including Iceland, Claire's Accessories, Savers, Body Care, One Below, Boots and Marks and Spencer.

The total value of the thefts came to more than £200.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, told the court that on May 21 the store manager at the Food Warehouse in Wrexham contacted Wrexham Council's CCTV team to inform them a female had been detained at the shop on suspicion of theft.

Police officers attended the scene and found the woman, Watson, had three bags with her containing a number of items from different stores.

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All items taken from the stores were recovered - with the exception of the Marks and Spencer goods, which were worth £34.70 and were perishable.

When she was detained, she had £15 on her person, no cards which could have been used to pay for the items and no mobile phone.

Ms Jackson said Watson had eight convictions on her record for 11 offences - five of which were for theft.

But the most recent offence on her record was in 2015.

Lorraine McClure, defending, told the court matters were "getting on top" of Watson and that she had "reverted" to the offending from her past.

Ms McClure said: "These matters are with the stress of her home life coming to the forefront.

"She does know she needs help with this and she wants to reach out."

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After Watson met with probation officers to explore rehabilitation options, Deputy District Judge Rhys Williams told the defendant: "What concerned me is that after seven years, all of a sudden we have another seven offences.

"Clearly the probation service think they can work with you."

He handed down a 12 month community order to encompass the seven theft offences, with one requirement: up to 20 days of rehabilitation work with the probation service.

Watson must also pay compensation to Marks and Spencer to the value of £34.70.

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