A YOUNG mother who stole clothes because she was homeless and needed something to wear, has been fined and ordered to pay compensation.

Prosecutor Vyvyan Thatcher told Swindon magistrates on Wednesday that staff at New Look in Regent Street were alerted to Sophie Sheppard’s theft on May 6 because a section of the shop looked messy.

When they checked CCTV to find out what had happened they spotted Sheppard taking clothes.

“When she was interviewed by police she told them she needed the clothes because she was homeless and had gone into New Look with the intention of stealing some.”

He told the court Sheppard’s last shoplifting offence was on March 10 this year and she was given a conditional discharge for 12 months. The theft at New Look came just two months after the sentence was imposed.

“Before that she has 19 other convictions, the vast majority of which are for offences of this nature,” he said.

Sheppard, 24, of Walcot Road, admitted stealing clothing valued at £52.97 from the store and breaching the conditional discharge.

Mike Pulsford, defending, said at the time of the theft Sheppard had just been released from a prison sentence and had nowhere to live. “She really was quite desperate. She was sofa surfing and she was sleeping in her car at one stage. Essentially she stole clothes from New Look to wear.”

Since then she had found herself fixed accommodation and was receiving benefit.

“She is someone who has had difficulties in the past. She is on diazepam for depression.” But he added: “She is the type of shoplifter who when caught, goes along with the investigation.”

Sheppard was fined £40 and told to pay £52.97 compensation to New Look, £40 prosecution costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

The magistrates took no action on the breach of the conditional discharge.