A MOTHER was forced to steal to support her family after a benefits switch left her without cash, a court was told.

Charlene Wesley, a mum-of-two admitted stealing more than £200-worth of laundry detergent, lamb and cosmetics from Sainsbury’s and Boots.

But Swindon magistrates let the 29-year-old walk from court with a conditional discharge after hearing she had turned to shoplifting when her partner developed a drug addiction and gave up work.

Solicitor Andrew Watts-Jones, defending, said: “The real biggie is when she was moved onto Universal Credit. They were without money for four months. They now have money, but it’s only been coming through for a short period of time.”

However, North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said advanced payments were available to those claiming universal credit. “There is absolutely no reason she could not have had support,” the work and pensions minister added. “Where drugs and a controlling partner are involved it is a very complex and challenging situation to address."

Kate Linnegar, Labour’s MP hopeful in North Swindon, called the case heartbreaking. Calling for the universal credit system to be paused, she said: “How many of us could survive with no money coming in for four months? I know that my family couldn't.”

Swindon Magistrates Court was told Wesley, of Shrewsbury Road, Walcot, was “not a crook”. Mr Watts-Jones said: “She’s a woman who has found herself in circumstances where she was forced into difficult choices.

“Until she was nearly 27-years-old she’d never committed offences and certainly not stealing.

"She historically was a lady with a good background. She had a number of jobs.

"She wasn’t on benefits. She was an upstanding person.

“She then meets a chap, she falls in love and they have children.

“For reasons best known to him, he develops a heroin addiction and it all starts falling apart. He eventually gives up work because he‘s not capable of working anymore. There’s no money. He steals from shops and from her. It becomes desperate. It’s hand to mouth. So, they start shoplifting.”

Swindon Magistrates Court heard Wesley was stopped by staff at Sainsbury’s selecting laundry detergent and meat from the shelves before leaving without paying. She tussled with a security guard as they tried to detain her, prosecutor Keith Ballinger said. She gave police officers a different name.

Police later visited her home, where they found items of make-up. In interview, Wesley admitted these had been taken from Boots in Swindon town centre.

Wesley pleaded guilty to shoplifting and obstructing a police officer in the course of his duty. Magistrates sentenced her to a six month conditional discharge.

Justin Tomlinson, MP for North Swindon, said: “Where drugs and a controlling partner are involved it is a very complex and challenging situation to address.

“For eligible claimants on Universal Credit, same day advance payments are available so there is absolutely no reason she could not have had financial support.

“All the work coaches also have full training to help identify and support those at risk of domestic abuse including financial coercive control. This includes signposting them to support groups including the Women's Refuge and offering additional financial support to move into new housing away from their partner. The claimant though has to agree to this support.

“My understanding is various support agencies are trying to help support her situation.”

However, Kate Linnegar, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate in North Swindon, called for the universal credit system to be halted: “This is a heartbreaking situation for anyone to find themselves in.

“How many of us could survive with no money coming in for four months? I know that my family couldn't.

“Labour have repeatedly asked that Universal Credit is halted or delayed until it's put right. We used an opposition day debate saying the roll out was causing instability, uncertainty and injustice.

“Labour suggested that Conservative MPs were out of touch with the situation that real people are facing. I have to agree if they think people can manage to survive with no money coming in for even five weeks let alone months.”