A THIEF has been detained in a young offender institution after stealing thousands of pounds worth of tobacco products from shops in Hereford and beyond.

Christy Mongan admitted four counts of theft when she appeared before magistrates in Kidderminster.

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The court heard from prosecutor Melanie Winterflood that the 20-year-old had stolen tobacco items worth £260 from One Stop in Hereford on February 6.

She had also stolen tobacco items worth £675 from Co-operative Stores in Malvern and tobacco items worth £2,675 from One Stop in Malvern on February 1, and a large quantity of cigarettes and tobacco, worth £969.71 from Co-operative Stores in Worcester on February 6.

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Magistrates heard that Mongan, of Heather Road in Birmingham, was on licence for similar matters when the offences, which were described as a "group activity" were committed.

Mongan was committed to a young offender institution for 16 weeks and ordered to pay compensation of £75 to each of the shops.

No order for costs was made due to Mongan's lack of means and to allow compensation to take priority.