A mum-of-three has been handed a conditional discharge after stealing food items from two supermarkets.

Annaliese Rosiana Atlanta Beale, aged 26 and of Lennox Street in Weymouth, was charged with two counts of theft from a shop relating to two incidents on Tuesday, August 1 2017.

Beale was charged with stealing items to the value of £16.19 from the Co-op in Trinity Street in Dorchester and items to the value of £16.50 from Iceland, also on Trinity Street.

Beale pleaded guilty to both charges.

Prosecuting, Elizabeth Valera told the court that Beale was stopped when leaving the Co-op and it was then it was discovered that she had also taken items from Iceland a short time before.

She said: "The items were all food items. The items from the Co-Op were able to be re-sold but the items from Iceland were not able to be resold.

"When she was interviewed she fully admitted both offences. She said she only had a few pound and she needed to pay her electric and the food was for her own consumption."

Beale has no previous convictions.

Mitigating, Karen O'Brien said: "This is the first time this 26-year-old has been before court. She recently lost the father of her three children, who are three, five and seven.

"She had a breakdown and her children have been taken in to temporary care.

"She stole food because she had none, and the few pound she had she needed for her electric.

"She is on the path to recovery and getting help from her GP and she is hoping to get her children back.

"I ask you to take sympathy on her. She is deeply ashamed about what she did."

Chairman of the bench, Sarah Saunders said: "We do believe you have had a very difficult year, so for the two offences we are going to make a conditional discharge for six months."

Beale was also ordered to pay £16.50 in compensation to Iceland and £20 contribution to court costs.