A PART-TIME cleaner has pleaded guilty to theft after she tried to leave a shop with three dresses hidden under her cardigan.

Joanne Lesley French, aged 41, of Dorset Road, Eltham, admitted stealing the dresses, worth a combined value of £269, from the John Lewis Partnership in Bluewater on August 6.

On November 7, Dartford Magistrates' Court heard the theft was in breach of a conditional discharge French received for another theft in June.

Lynette Calder, mitigating, said her client had been suffering from depression and the collapse of her marriage.

Sentencing was adjourned to December 5.

French was released on bail with conditions not to enter Bluewater and to comply with the probation service.