A defence solicitor said there was “no market for Peppa Pig books” after £400 worth of goods stolen from a budget store were recovered from a travellers’ site.

Priscilla McGroary, 27, and Laura O’Neil, 20, entered Home Bargains in Workington with a male on October 5, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard

They filled two trollies with a variety of items, including clothes, toys and toiletries. 

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the defendants then left the store, making no attempt to pay for the goods.

The vehicle they were in was reported and police traced it to a travellers’ site near Westlakes Science Park at Moor Row.

Police carried out a search and found a variety of items. During interview, both defendants gave ‘no comment’ to every question asked.

Ms Fee said the items were valued at £400.

Claire Kirkpatrick, for McGroary, said: “She is a single parent with three young children. She has no convictions at all. This is entirely out of character.

“She is ashamed of her behaviour. It’s not an example she wants to set to her children.

“She tells me this will be her one and only appearance in court.”

John Cooper, for O’Neil, said most of the defendant’s previous convictions had been before the youth court.

Mr Cooper described the offending as “not particularly well-planned”.

He said: “I have CCTV and £400 worth of items from that shop is almost two trollies full.

“The items have all been recovered. They were not to sell on. There is no market for Peppa Pig books.”

McGroary, of Bennochy Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, and O’Neil, of Monks Lane, Bolton, pleaded guilty to theft from a shop.

McGroary was fined £80 and must pay £85 in costs and a £32 victim surcharge. O’Neil was fined £120 and must pay £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

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