A shoplifter who stole hundreds of pounds worth of perfume from a department store has been ordered to pay back compensation.

Theresa Smith, 49, of Key and Castle Yard, off Oak Street, Norwich was charged with two counts of theft from a shop, which she pleaded guilty to at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (March 8).

Smith was ordered to pay £373 in compensation - along with praise from a magistrate for getting her life back on track.

Denise Holland, prosecuting, said the first offence took place on December 2, 2021, when Smith stole a bottle of perfume worth £50 from John Lewis in All Saints Green. 

The second offence happened around the same time when she stole fragrance valued at around £323 from the same store.

Smith was given a conditional caution by Norfolk Police in which she had to pay back the money for the stolen items by August 17, 2022, according to Ms Holland.

READ MORE: Shoplifters warned after man assaults cop while high after sports shop theft

But the defendant was brought to court because she was unable to pay back the money, according to Annette Hall who was representing Smith.

In mitigation, Ms Hall said: "She (Smith) should have paid that money back but unfortunately through a lack of means, she could not comply with the caution.

"She is incredibly anxious and ashamed by what she did.

"She has not reoffended and not come to the attention of the police since then.

"She has shown great remorse and co-operated fully. She is very distressed by the whole situation as she let her life get into a muddle, but has come out of that."

Ms Hall added Smith, who receives benefits, had called a mental health crisis team at the end of last year because of concerns but was now doing "remarkably well".

Geoffrey Dyett, chairman of the bench, said: "Try not to worry. You have made changes to your life and have moved on."