A WOMAN stole from three York shopping centres, the city's magistrates heard.

Alison Marie Bernadette Kilvington, 55, “doesn’t know why she committed” the three thefts, defence solicitor Craig Robertson said.

The court heard three members of the family have health problems, and Mr Robertson said: “The whole family dynamics are somewhat strained.”

Martin Butterworth, prosecuting, said CCTV cameras captured Alison Marie Bernadette Kilvington, 55, taking clothing worth £18 from Sainsbury’s at Monks Cross Shopping Centre and children’s clothing estimated to be worth £200 from Marks and Spencers’ store at Vangarde Shopping Centre on June 29.

Police caught up with her on July 11, and she confessed to them that that day she had taken bedding and towels from Wilkinsons store on Clifton Moor Retail Park.

Kilvington, of Barley Rise, Strensall, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft and asked for a third to be taken into consideration. She was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £118 compensation.

Mr Robertson said she was taking anti-depressive and anti-psychotic medication, her husband had had cancer and suffered from diabetes and her daughter also had serious mental health issues.

Magistrates heard Kilvington had eight previous convictions including for theft, but that they occur several years apart and some date back to the 1980s.