A WOMAN who stole two DVD players told a court it was because “heroin was ruining her life”.

Clare Heavens, of Sambourne Gardens, Warminster, pleaded guilty to theft at Salisbury magistrates’ court on Friday (September 29).

Prosecuting, Kate Prince said Heavens, 42, was seen entering Sainsbury’s in Trowbridge on July 14 with her partner.

The pair took two DVD players and a TV box, with a total value of £140, and left making no attempts to pay.

They were later identified by the CCTV footage, and Heavens’ partner has been sentenced separately for the offence.

Heavens, who has no previous convictions, made a full admission when interviewed by police, and said her partner would sell the items so she could buy heroin and food.

She told police she was “very sorry” and that “heroin was ruining her life”, Ms Prince said.

Defending, Matthew George said Heavens had had a drug habit for “a very long time” after suffering from depression and anxiety.

He said Heavens kept her drug use “a secret” from her previous relationship and her children, but “things got worse”.

But Mr George said she then “stopped paying her rent and became homeless” and was still using heroin.

The court heard Heavens had four other theft offences in June and July to be sentenced for on the same day.

Magistrates told Heavens: “To your credit, you have managed to get this far through your life without committing any offences”.

But she was fined a total of £200 for the five offences, and ordered to pay half of each claim for compensation, totalling £180.