A WOMAN stole alcohol from a petrol station shop as a cry for help during a bleak period in her life, a court heard.

Julie Slater, of Paddock Road in Kirkburton, twice stole a bottle of wine from the Co-op petrol store on Penistone Road.

Huddersfield magistrates were told that in the late afternoon of September 27 Slater entered the shop. She paid for several items, including fuel, and then went over to the alcohol aisle.

Linda Fowler, prosecuting, said that a staff member heard a bottle clinking or smashing and went to investigate.

During this time Slater, 43, put a bottle of £5.49 wine in her bag and was seen on CCTV leaving the shop with it without paying.

She helped herself to a bottle again the following day.

Slater initially denied both thefts but pleaded guilty before magistrates.

Ben Jackson, defending, said that his client had a shoplifting record but this was highly unusual.

He said she had committed five thefts between 1987 and 2011 but that these were associated with low points in her life.

Mr Jackson said: “Her offending is linked to periods in her life where there’s problems in her personal life and when she has mental health difficulties.

“At the time these offences were committed her personal life was in a bit of a mess (and) she had come out of a bad relationship. She was (also) struggling with depression. The reason behind the offending is a combination of her struggles and a cry for help.”

Magistrates gave her a conditional discharge for 12 months. They also ordered her to pay £85 costs.