A POLISH woman stole a purse from an 86-year-old shopper during a visit for a family birthday, a court heard yesterday.

Anna Gurgacz was yesterday sentenced to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work after admitting taking £55 cash from the pensioner.

David Maddison, prosecuting, told Darlington Magistrates Court that Gurgacz, 33, and another man had followed the woman round Marks & Spencer.

A security guard watched the man take the purse from the womans pocket before leaving the store.

The purse was later recovered but with the cash missing.

Gurgacz, of Pasture Road, Leeds, who was visiting her sister in the town, denied knowing the man when she was arrested.

Magistrates ordered her to pay £55 compensation and £43 costs. She must carry out the unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order.