A BOW Street woman who stole items from two Aberystwyth shops was homeless at the time and struggling, her solicitor has said.

Heledd Elin Williams, 27, pleaded guilty to theft from Penparcau’s Coop store and from Aberystwyth’s Budgens in a 10-day spell - with the theft at the Co-op coming just a day after she’d been bailed for the theft from Budgens.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Williams, of Flat 2, Afallon Deg, was caught on CCTV on 16 January at the Budgens store stealing three bottles of spirits.

She was arrested on 25 January by police and gave a “no comment” interview before being bailed.

The following day she was caught on CCTV stealing meat and two bottles of gin from the Co-op store in Penparcau.

Defence solicitor Alan Lewis said Williams had been homeless at the time and was struggling, but had since found accommodation and was now feeling more settled.

Mr Lewis said Williams was embarrassed at the thefts and said that her struggles at that time had helped her see that she needed to make changes.

He said: “She feels she’s moved on with her life. The events of January have been a huge wake-up call for her. I’m hopeful you won’t see her in court again.”

Williams was given a 12-month conditional discharge, but will have to pay compensation of £45.27 to Budgens and £20 to Co-op, as well as costs totalling £105.