A HANDBAG was stolen from a shop in Hereford, with the offender, a homeless woman, appearing in court.

Prosecutor Lauren Millichip said Chanelle Gwilliam stole a black handbag from TK Maxx in Hereford’s Old Market shopping centre.

The handbag was from the luxury brand US Polo Assn and was being sold for £40 at the discount department store.

TK Maxx sells a range of products including from designer brands, often below the recommended retail price.

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29-year-old Gwilliam is of no fixed address, and was handed a six-month conditional discharge for the offence when she appeared at Hereford Magistrates’ Court on May 22, represented by defence solicitor Andrew Cleal.

Her guilty plea was taken into account by magistrates when they came to their decision on what penalty to impose for the offence.

No order was made for prosecution costs to be paid to the Crown Prosecution Service but the defendant must pay a £26 victim surcharge.