A TEENAGER decided to steal a mobile CD player after damaging one belonging to a fellow resident at the Police Street hostel in Darwen, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that jobless Concheta Grech could not afford to replace the equipment.

Grech, 18, pleaded guilty to stealing a CD player worth £30 from Debenhams. She was granted a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £20 costs.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said Grech went into Debenhams with a male and they took a CD player and left without paying. Grech was detained after a chase. Jonathon Taylor, defending, said Grech had damaged a personal CD player belonging to another resident at the hostel and had been allowed only a limited amount of time to replace it.

"She foolishly went in to Debenhams and tried to steal a replacement," said Mr Taylor. "She has already spent 24 hours in custody as a result."