Mum-to-be stole mobile phone

12:35pm Wednesday 21st May 2008

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A PREGNANT woman stole a £100 mobile phone from a staff member at a home she was living at because she wanted to be thrown out, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how Alison Elizabeth Mary-Anne Hull, 20, who has since had a little boy, was not happy at the Catholic Children's Rescue Society, Blackburn.

The defendant, now a resident at the Malt Shovel, Clifton Farm, Burnley, admitted theft of the phone last November 9 She was given an 18 month conditional discharge, with £100 compensation, but the bench made no order for costs.

Sentencing, the chairman told the defendant the offence was a breach of trust and must have caused upheaval for staff at the home.

The court was told the phone was taken from a handbag belonging to an administrator at the home.

The defendant was not interviewed about the allegation until after her baby was born.

Hull claimed she had taken the phone as she was not happy, wanted to leave the home and thought she would be expelled from the premises if she stole.

The defendant, said to have had a difficult upbringing, had a lot of problems and was now living in bed and breakfast accommodation.