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Mum stole presents for Christmas
A former heroin addict stole £600 of clothes from Marks & Spencer because she feared she would have nothing to give her young son for Christmas, a court heard.
Alyson Leeds, of Fairfield Close, Radlett, was seen on CCTV putting clothes in a basket, hanging from a push chair, hidden under a black jacket.
The 39-year-old went to the toilets with her son and when she came out the clothes were gone, but inside a large box in the pushchair.
Leeds, who had not been in trouble for five years and had kicked a long-standing heroin addiction, pleaded guilty to committing the theft at the Watford store on Friday, November 9.
In mitigation her defence said the single parent had managed to turn her life around, but had considerable debts and "succumbed" to committing the offence due to the "grim prospect" of not being able to give her son any presents at Christmas.
Leeds receives incapacity benefits, due to problems from her drug use.
Leeds will be sentenced by magistrates tomorrow.
11:39am Monday 12th May 2008
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