A WOMAN swapped a can of beer for stolen DVDs, a court heard.

Maria McCluskey, of Clough Road, Birkby, was stopped by police after stealing food from a budget shop.

But when she was searched officers discovered the DVD films which had earlier been taken from a store.

McCluskey admitted to handling stolen goods, but claimed a friend had given her them in exchange for the alcohol.

The 41-year-old also pleaded guilty to a charge of shop theft when she appeared before Kirklees magistrates.

She was witnessed stealing £6 worth of goods from Poundland on January 21.

Mark Steeples, prosecuting, said McCluskey was seen selecting food items from the display.

She then hid them inside her handbag before leaving the Victoria Lane store.

McCluskey was stopped outside by a security officer who had seen the theft on the shop’s CCTV.

Police were called and while they were searching her bag they found three DVDs, including horror film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. They were brand new and in cellophane wrappers.”

Further investigations revealed the DVDs had been stolen from the That’s Entertainment shop in New Street earlier that day.

Mr Steeples said: “When asked about the DVDs the defendant said that she’d bought them off somebody.