A MOTHER arrested for stealing from a discount supermarket tried to distract police officers by lifting up her skirt.

Violetta Florea, who moved to the UK to find work and support her two young children back in Romania, stole £9.95 of meat from Aldi in Evesham in May 2007.

The 24-year-old, who admitted theft when she appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court, was taken into custody and there she attempted to distract officers.

Julie Rosamond, prosecuting, said: “Officers say that the defendant and her co-accused tried to use distraction techniques; lifting up their skirts and exposing the fact they had no underwear on and offering to pay for the stolen items even though it was clear they had no money.”

Florea, who now lives in Churchill Road, Birmingham, was bailed to return to the police station, but never turned up.

Susie Duncan, defending, said Florea’s mother had died the month before causing her to return home.

It was only after she returned to the UK a couple of weeks ago that she was arrested. Florea was given a six-month conditional discharge and told to pay £30 court costs.

Another woman, co-accused of the theft, was sentenced last year.