A SHOPLIFTER selected a larger handbag so she could increase the haul of bottles of spirits she was stealing from Marks and Spencer.

Blackburn magistrates heard Joanna Marie Warner replaced a smaller handbag on the display before increasing her capacity.

Warner, 30, of East Park Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing grocery items and alcohol worth £262. She was made subject to community supervision for 12 months with a drug rehabilitation requirement and ordered to pay £100 costs.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said security staff monitoring CCTV saw Warner select a number of bottles of spirits and place them in a JB Sports carrier bag.

She then put a bottle of Champagne in her jacket before leaving the food area and going to a handbag display.

“She replaced a small handbag on the display and removed a large bag into which she placed the Champagne,” said Mrs White.“She then returned to the spirits aisle and put more bottles in the handbag. She was detained as she left the store.”

Gareth Price, defending, said his client’s extensive record would cause the magistrates concern.

“She recently turned 30 and this has caused her to re-evaluate her life and where it is going,” said Mr Price.