A WOMAN who stole a condom machine from a train station is today (Thursday, November 13) starting an 18-week prison sentence.

Amanda Armstrong appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court for stealing the £75 machine from Darlington railway station toilets on August 7, having tried to steal it the day before.

Armstrong, of Longleeford Road, Newcastle, was also charged with stealing boots and deodorant worth £100 from a person.

In a previous hearing, magistrates heard how the alcoholic 37-year-old, who has a long history of offending, was trying to turn her life around.

Her solicitor, Richard Copsey, said Armstrong had been under the influence of her controlling partner – and accomplice - at the time of the thefts.

The 37-year-old was sentenced to six weeks in prison for stealing the condom machine, four weeks concurrent for attempting to steal it, eight weeks consecutive for stealing the boots and deodorant and a suspended sentence was imposed in full, for a previous theft, adding another four weeks.