A Haverfordwest woman’s ‘stupid’ decision to steal a hat was caught on camera, a court has heard.

Claire Evans, of Market Street, pleaded guilty to theft from a shop when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the court that Evans, 37, was identified from CCTV footage after stealing a beanie hat worth £5.99 from Trespass, Haverfordwest, on January 20.

She admitted the theft when police caught up with her, but the hat was not recovered.

The court heard that Evans had a ‘significant list’ of previous convictions, including dishonesty offences.

Jonathan Webb, defending, stated that Evans ‘came clean’ as soon as she was spoken to by police, and while she had an ‘unenviable’ record, there had been a hiatus due to mental health issues being addressed.

“She was with a person who asked her to buy him a hat, she went to do so, but did not have the funds to pay, and stupidly decided to take it.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered Evans to pay £5.99 compensation plus £85 costs and a £20 surcharge.