A PREGNANT woman who admitted stealing £1,300 worth of creams and pharmaceuticals was sentenced to eight weeks in prison by magistrates.

Kayleigh McCabe, 27, of Garvin Close, Middlesbrough, was spotted by staff when she returned to Boots in Stokesley with accomplice David Mason, 33, of the same address. The pair were followed and arrested outside the shop.

Appearing at Northallerton Magistrates Court today (Monday, February 24) McCabe pleaded guilty to two charges of shoplifting.

Mason admitted one charge and was sentenced to four weeks in prison.

Sam Law, prosecuting, told the court McCabe was seen on CCTV cameras on February 20 in the store when she took £858 worth of goods.

When she returned with Mason two days later on February 22 the couple stole a further £500 worth of creams.

Police were called and McCabe was found outside the store, while Mason was found hiding behind a wall with the goods in a bag. Both admitted the offences when questioned by the police.

The court heard that both defendents had long records. Mason had 58 offences of theft and had been before the courts as recently as January when a community order was imposed.

McCabe had 54 previous offences of theft and had also appeared in court in January when she was given a suspended sentence.

The court was told both had problems with benefits which had been stopped.

John Aygar defending McCabe said she was four months pregnant with Mason's child and had gone to Stokesley initially to buy a pushchair.

He said the shoplifting was an act of desperation but she now realised she had to take responsibility for her unborn child.

Chairman of the bench John Bacon said: "There comes a time when the courts have to stop giving chances and have to impose punishments instead.”