A YOUNG mother who stole £35.37 worth of alcohol and food for a friend's birthday party has appeared in court.

Cyndi Barrett, aged 21, admitted taking the items, which included a bottle of Vodka, a bottle of Jack Daniels and cocktail sausages, from Morrisons on Friday, January 25.

Worcester Magistrates Court heard Barrett, of St Philips Drive, Evesham, was seen by a security guard placing some of the items under her daughter's pushchair before leaving without paying.

The court heard she had no previous convictions but had been given a fixed penalty in November 2007 for shoplifting.

Sarah Brady, defending, said Barrett was a young, single mother who was trying very hard despite having had a troubled family background herself and been taken into foster care as a teenager.

Mrs Brady said Barrett has been thrown a birthday party by her best friend and just wanted to repay the favour but was now utterly ashamed of her actions.

Magistrates gave her a conditional discharge for a year and ordered her to pay £60 costs.