Twelve days after being given a conditional discharge for stealing a greetings card from a shop in Cardigan a 53-year-old woman made off with £30 worth of toiletries from Boots in the town centre, a court has been told.

Rosalyne Gallagher of 17 Heol Hafod, Cardigan, who was represented by Stephen Welch, appeared at Ceredigion Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to an offence of theft committed on Monday, December 16 last year.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan said a member of staff at Boots observed the defendant who paid for one item but left the shop without paying for others.

Police were alerted and found Gallagher on the street where she said she put the items under her coat and left the premises. She said “I’m ashamed of my behaviour.”

Mr Welch said it was a spontaneous act by his client who suffered from mental health problems.

The bench revoked the six months conditional discharge imposed on December 4 for theft at Pendre Art Gallery and fined her £40. She was also fined £90 for the Boots theft and ordered to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.