A WOMAN admitted stealing joints of lamb from a frozen food store.

Maria McCluskey, of Clough Road, Birkby, was before District Judge John Maxwell sitting in Huddersfield.

She admitted stealing £22 worth of the meat from Farmfoods on February 11.

James Weekes, prosecuting, said that the 41-year-old walked into the Market Street store at just before 4pm.

She walked around for several minutes before legitimately purchasing an item and placing it in a shop bag.

McCluskey then walked towards the entrance where she was joined by a male, who has not been identified.

They went to the frozen meats section where they selected three joints of lamb.

The pair then placed the goods in McCluskey’s plastic bag and left without paying.

McCluskey was identified from the store’s CCTV footage.

She tested positive for opiates at the police station.

In interview she claimed that she couldn’t remember the theft.

Bob Carr, mitigating, said that there were concerns with his client’s mental health.

He told Judge Maxwell that McCluskey is already subject to a court-ordered community order with drug rehabilitation.

The judge gave her a conditional discharge for 12 months.

She was, however, told to pay compensation for the stolen meat.