STEALING soft furnishings, bedding and pens to give to a person she was staying with in lieu of rent has cost a teenager £182.

Nicola Jane Rutter admitted four thefts when she appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court.

On March 25, the 19-year-old stole felt pens worth £3.25 from Wilkinson’s in Bishop Auckland and a faux fur throw worth £20 from Beales Department Store in the town.

She also stole a red kingsize bedding pack worth £20 on March 14, and a salt and pepper shaker set and tea towel worth £18 on March 4, from Wilkinson’s in the town’s Newgate Centre, the court heard.

Laura Moorby representing Rutter, who gave an address on Linden Gardens in Richmond, said her client was staying with people in Bishop Auckland at the time with a view to moving to the area to escape domestic violence.

Ms Moorby said Rutter had no money to pay rent so stole the items to give to the person she was staying with.

The pens and throw were recovered by police but the other items were not, the court heard.

Magistrates ordered Rutter to pay £38 compensation for the lost items, £74 fine, £20 victim surcharge and £50 court costs.