A CLEANER who believed she was owed money stole a £700 mobile phone by way of compensation.

Blackburn magistrates heard Olina Badiova knew where to look for the phone because of the work she had done for Raza Ahmed at his Nelson home.

Badiova, 24, of Smith Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to theft. She was fined £40 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £349 compensation.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said Badiova had gone to the aggrieved's home asking for money she claimed she was owed for cleaning work she had done.

"She stole the phone while she was there and then admitted she had sold it on," said Miss Akhtar.

Sarah Aslam, defending, said her client, who was four months pregnant, had no previous convictions.

"There was a dispute over money she felt she was owed and she stole the phone," said Miss Aslam. "There was no pre-planning."