A 29-YEAR-OLD woman visiting a social housing complex helped herself to decorative items hanging on the walls.

Blackburn magistrates heard Katie Simms told police she had stolen some of the items to sell so she could buy drugs but kept an Irish prayer plaque because she liked it.

Simms, of East Park Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing two wrought iron floral decorative art and a decorative clock belonging to Places for People, theft of the prayer plaque belonging to Harry Riley and theft of 12 jars of coffee worth £48 from Lidl. She was fined £80 with £30 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £70 compensation.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Places for People provided 42 flats at the complex were the items were stolen from. The organisation put ornaments on the walls and each individual had their own alcove outside their room where they could put their own ornament.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had not thought of the items belonging to individuals.