Bad health news 'led to Shrewsbury shoplifting offence'
A shoplifter who stole a £99 coat from a Shrewsbury store was described as the most ill woman her lawyer had ever seen in a courtroom
Mr Steven Meredith told magistrates that his client, Donna Meek, had lived most of her life just eating sandwiches.
He said Meredith was "in really bad health" having been diagnosed with cancer four times.
The 47-year-old was also suffering from osteoporosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and needed to use a nebulizer every day, he said.
"I have never known anyone with so many illnesses come to court," added Mr Meredith.
Meek, from Fordbridge, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to stealing a £99 coat from TK Maxx at the Meole Brace Retail Park in Shrewsbury when she appeared at Telford Magistrates Court. She also admitted a breach of a conditional discharge.
Mrs Abigail Hall, prosecuting, said Meek had browsed the ladies' clothes section before taking a coat off a hanger and going into the shop's changing rooms where she hid it in her bag.
Meek, a mother of six, had seven previous convictions for 14 offences.
"She gets some bad news about her health and she goes and commits a shoplifting matter. It's sort of a cry for help," said Mr Meredith.
Magistrates fined her £73 for the offence, plus £85 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Mr Meredith told the court that as Meek was now addressing why she committed these offences.
