A 54-year-old woman tried to walk out of Asda with a trolley full of groceries she hadn’t paid for.

Blackburn magistrates heard it was the second similar offence committed by Susan Proctor this year and John Dewhurst, defending, described it as a cry for help.

Proctor, of Shakespeare Way, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing goods worth £201.

She was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

The court heard that Proctor was made subject to a conditional discharge for the offence earlier in the year and the latest offence put her in breach of that.

Mr Dewhurst said the items in the trolley were not in bags and it was evident they had not been paid for.

“I suspect this was more a cry for help than a serious attempt at theft,” said Mr Dewhurst.

“Perhaps what she needs is some involvement from the probation service.”