A woman stole a designer handbag because she couldn’t afford to pay her bedroom tax, a court heard.

Jayne Sugden, of Everard Street in Crosland Moor , appeared before Kirklees Magistrates’ Court .

She admitted stealing from three stores in Huddersfield town centre on February 14.

James Weekes, prosecuting, said that Sugden’s first theft from BHS was witnessed.

Staff at The Shambles store saw her putting a pair of £85 black boots into her bag. The 42-year-old also picked up a pair of brown boots but was disturbed and left the shop.

This was reported to security staff at other shops in the area.

Sugden was stopped on Market Street and searched.

It was then a red Prada handbag worth £160 that she had taken from Peters was discovered.

Sugden asked magistrates to take into account another theft of a bag from River Island into account when sentencing her.

In interview she said she was feeling unwell and needed some heroin.

Paul Blanchard, mitigating, said that his client took the drug because of her dire financial circumstances.

He said: “She explained that she stole to pay for her bedroom tax . She took the heroin to block out the reality of the situation.”

Sugden was given a six month community order.

She must also pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news .

Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App  here , the FREE Examiner Android App  here  or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking  here

To follow us on Twitter click here