A woman has appeared in court after she stole a handbag and perfume from TK Maxx using a foil lined bag. 

Dalyte Ochremciu, of Harper Road in Elephant and Castle, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 4) having previously pleaded guilty to shoplifting. 

The court heard that the 35-year-old was seen on CCTV at the shop on Lombard Street, near Fenchurch Street, on April 25. 

Ochremciu was seen picking up perfume, a handbag and two pairs of trousers. She then went to the changing rooms but told staff she only had the trousers. 

After exiting the changing rooms she left the store but not before security staff tried to stop her, prosecutor Jonathan Bryan said. 

Ochremciu was then stopped by police who found a number of stolen items in her bag, which was lined with foil. 

When she was interviewed by police she accepted she did not pay for the items and said she had been planning on selling them to send money to her daughter in Ukraine. 

However, the court heard that Ochremciu, who has nine previous convictions for theft, was suffering from a drug addiction. 

Sentencing her, a magistrate said: “It’s very clear that the problem you have is with drugs. The sentence I pass is to help you with your drug addiction. 

“Tackling a drug addiction is very hard and the court and probation service can’t tackle it for you, only you can do that though it is not easy. 

He added: “The alternative for you is that next 30, 40, 50 years you’ll find yourself in court and prison repeatedly and that could be very bleak.” 

He sentenced her to a 12-month community order including a drug rehabilitation requirement.