A THIEF who wore pyjamas to court said she stole to feed herself.

Darlington woman Rebecca Martine Kelly took tins of anchovies and frappucino drinks from a Co-operative store in the town on Thursday, September 26.

Darlington Magistrates Court today (Thursday December 5) heard that the 29-year-old – who has a number of similar convictions – had recently become homeless and was staying in temporary accommodation.

Laura Moorby, mitigating, apologised for her client’s appearance and suggested that her clothing had been stolen by people she shared her accommodation with.

She said: “The people in those properties tend to be drug users and criminals.

“Her property is regularly stolen and that is the explanation for her appearance in court today, she has very little left.

“The theft happened so that she could eat.”

Kelly – of Victoria Road, Darlington – was handed a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15.