A WOMAN who was part of a gang of three which tried to steal items from a city centre store has admitted a shoplifting attempt.

Sharon Fairclough, 45, of Stamford Road, Birmingham, had been saving up for the past two years to see her family in Jamaica.

She pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, September 14 to attempting to steal two perfumes collectively valued at £134 from the Debenhams store in Eastgate Street, Chester on July 23.

Magistrates fined her £80 and ordered her to pay £134 compensation to the store.

Prosecuting, Kerry Pepperell said it was about 5pm when security officers monitoring CCTV saw a male and two females making their way to the perfume section – Fairclough was one of them.

They were placing items into a bag, ripping items out of plastic containers and discarding the wrapping.

When police arrived, the man ran off, followed by one of the two women, while Fairclough stayed and was arrested.

When interviewed, Fairclough admitted the offence. The items were recovered but the packaging was ripped off rendering them unfit for sale.

Fairclough had eight convictions for nine offences, the most recent in December 2014, most of the offences being shoplifting related.

Defending, Howard Jones said Fairclough wanted to say she was not complicit in the theft. Her behaviour was unusual in that the items of perfume were passed to her, she tore off the packaging and gave it back to them.

The court heard Fairclough was a single mum, was on universal credit and topped up her income by being a cleaner.

She had been saving up for two years to see family in Jamaica and previously that day had met the two people and had been buying items at Cheshire Oaks in preparation for the holiday.

"Following this incident, she has cut ties with these other two people," Mr Jones added.

As well as the fine and compensation, Fairclough must pay £85 court costs.