A DEPRESSED thief went out shoplifting because she had run out of cat food, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Donna Atkinson, 27, helped herself to toiletries worth almost £70 from Kwik Save and was abusive to the store manager.

Atkinson, of Gibson Street, Colne, admitted theft and was fined £75, with £35 costs.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said the manger of the Burnley store saw the defendant move items from the shelf and put them under her coat.

She left Kwik Save without trying to pay for any of the toiletries and when she was told by the manager she had goods not paid for, she said: "I don't think so," and pushed past him. It was found she had taken beauty fluid, toothpaste and other items worth £68.72 and the defendant said: "OK, I did it. Do you have to call the police?"

Rachel Adamson, defending, said Atkinson had not committed dishonesty offences since 2000. She had been fully frank with the police and all the property was recovered.

When the offence was committed, she had felt particularly down and depressed. She had been with friends, they had given her alcohol and she had given into temptation to revert to the type of offences earlier in her record.