A 35-YEAR-OLD woman who was caught during a shoplifting ‘spree’ blamed depression for her offending, but admitted it made her feel better.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ghazala Imran was arrested outside Matalan with a ‘boot full’ of stolen property. Her husband was in the car, but the court was told he had no knowledge of the offences that had been committed.

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Imran, of Carr Road, Nelson, pleaded guilty to stealing clothing worth £85 from Matalan, perfume worth £88 from Boots and clothing worth £194 from Next. She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months fined £50 and ordered to pay £50 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Imran was seen in Matalan placing items into a Next bag. She then took a holdall off a display and filled that with clothes, before leaving the store without paying. She was detained outside and the police called.

“They found the boot of the car full of property already stolen from stores that day,” said Miss Allan. “The vehicle was being driven by her husband and there was a small child in the car.”.

Damian Pickup, defending, said his client refuted that her husband was in any way involved. He said his client had no previous convictions.

“She has been honest and candid enough to admit she committed the offences because she was depressed and it made her feel better,” said Mr Pickup.

He said Imran had problems with depression after losinga number of years ago when she lost a seven-year-old daughter in tragic circumstances some years ago.

“She had received medication from her doctor but when the medication stopped as far as she was concerned she had emerged from that cloud of depression,” said Mr Pickup. “There are three other children, her husband works full-time and the pressure had built.”

Mr Pickup said Since the incident, Imran had been back to her doctor and had been prescribed new medication.