A woman suffering depression has pleaded guilty to stealing four chicken fillets from Marks and Spencer.

Kim Simpson, 54, from Central Parade, West Molesey, was arrested at the retail giant’s Brooklands store on March 21.

Simpson left the store with £184.50 of unpaid clothing and chicken in her trolley, while shopping with her father.

The court heard her state of mind had contributed to the offending.

At that time her mother was in hospital with a heart condition, she was suffering depression and had battled two bouts of cancer which had knocked her confidence.

Simpson rarely left the house, the court was told, and foolishly took the chance to steal the items because she was short of money because she was not getting benefits and living beyond her means.

Magistrates at Staines Magistrates’ Court handed Simpson a two-year conditional discharge and ordered her to pay £85 costs.