A PENPARCAU woman stole a pack of bird seeds from Pets at Home after suffering a panic attack, magistrates have heard.

Eira Elizabeth Platt, of 26 Fourth Avenue, pleaded guilty to theft after a member of staff saw her put the £3 seed mix in her bag.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said a staff member had seen Platt, 57, walk past the till after taking the seed mix and that when she was asked to let staff look in her bag she initially refused.

Platt then told the staff member she was having a panic attack before taking the seed mix out of her bag and putting it on the floor before walking out.

Police found her and arrested her and Platt said she hadn’t realised she had taken the item as she was suffering a panic attack.

Defence solicitor Alison Mathias said Platt accepted the prosecution evidence and said that she suffered with a range of issues, including panic attacks, which had played a part in the incident.

Platt was fined £40 and will pay costs of £115.