A YOUNG mum who found herself in desperate financial straits stole cash from her till at Tesco.

But suspicious bosses set up closed circuit TV surveillance on Leanne Danielle Mawman which captured her taking £50.

And when she was interviewed Mawman admitted taking another £850 in the previous six weeks.

Mawman, 22, of The Dell, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft.

She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £900 compensation.

Scott Ainge, prosecuting, said Mawman was working at Tesco's Hill Street store in Blackburn when colleagues expressed concerns about the money in her till.

She was specifically placed on a till on her own and monitored.

"At the end of her day of work the till was £50 down and examination of the closed circuit TV footage showed her taking £50 from the till," said Mr Ainge.

When interviewed by police Mawman said she and her partner and children were facing eviction from their home. She said the £50 had been spent on a birthday present for one of her children.

Roger Pickles, defending, said Mawman's partner had lost his job and they found themselves living in a house they couldn't afford.

"There was the temptation of tills full of money and she was desperate," said Mr Pickles. "She was threatened with eviction and ultimately she succumbed to that temptation.

"She has lost her job, her good name and her house and you may think that paying compensation is punishment enough."

Mr Pickles said the police had seized £390 from Mawman which was money she had won at bingo.

"There is no reason why that can't be paid immediately to Tesco," said Mr Pickles.