A MUM-to-be who went on a supermarket sweep with a stolen cheque book and card spent almost £1,000.

Burnley magistrates heard how Lauren Stacey Benham, 19, who is now seven and a half months pregnant, went spending in Asda, Sainsburys, Tesco and other stores.

She was arrested after her fingerprints were found on three of the cheques.

Benham, of Oak Street, Burnley, admitted nine allegations of comm-itting fraud by representation, last March 29.

The defendant, who had no previous convictions but could have been facing immediate prison, was given 120 days in jail, suspended for 12 months, with 12 months supervision.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court the owner of the cheque book and card used them in Burnley Focus but could not remember if she put them back in her bag.

She later went to a cash machine and found she did not have the book and card. They came into the possession of the defendant who used them nine times. Investigations were carried out and Benham's fingerprints were found on three of the cheques.

Benham was arrested, taken to the police station and in interview conceded she had been in possession of the items. The defendant had been cautioned by police in the past.

Janet Sime, defending, said Benham had had problems with family breakdown, school, self harm and suicide attempts.