STEALING joints of meat from Aldi to fund her drug habit was the reason behind a Walcot woman’s law-breaking ways, a court has heard.

Angela Money, 29, of Massinger Walk, appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court to face two counts of theft from Aldi within days.

The first incident happened on January 2 when Money walked into the store and stole five joints of lamb to the value of £24.75.

Only five days later, the 29-year-old entered the same store and stole three joints of beef to the value of £45.

Money pleaded guilty to both charges as well as a further meat theft charge from Aldi dating back to November last year.

Defending, Gordon Hotson said his client had been through some tough times which could attribute to the crimes.

He added: “Since the offence committed in November last year, things have moved on and she has been scripted and the amount of methadone has been increased quite rapidly where it is nearly at the right amount but we still have a short way to go.

“Her offending was a way of funding the drugs but also she had been told that her benefits would be cut off so it was also to fund other things.

“She had also found out through a third party that her mum had died as a result of liver failure.”

Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger told the court that Money was made subject to a community order in December after pleading guilty to 10 thefts, two assaults and one of fraud.

Magistrates imposed a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and told Money she would also be bound by the same community order, where she must complete 30 rehabilitation activity days.

Magistrates also told her that she must not enter any retail premises except Tesco in Ocotal Way and Rowlands Pharmacy while also paying Aldi compensation totalling £75.69.