A MOTHER and daughter from Frodsham with a previously clean criminal record have admitted stealing hundreds of pounds worth of clothing from Cheshire Oaks.

Katherine Finlay, 49, and her daughter Kyra, 19, both of Weaver Road, pleaded guilty to the shoplifting offences when they appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, July 13.

They also admitted going equipped for theft, in that Katherine Finlay had a tag remover with her and used it to steal the items of clothes.

Katherine Finlay claimed she had found the tag remover in a field while out walking her dog, did not know what it was and put it in her bag, and it was subsequently found when they went shopping on June 27.

Magistrates handed both the defendants a curfew.

Prosecuting, Kate Wilson said it was a "spree of thefts" that amounted to £626.80, but all the items had been recovered.

The spate began at 1.20pm at North Face, when Katherine Finlay used the tag remover on a waterproof jacket at North Face worth £80.80.

Katherine Finlay admitted stealing jeans and shorts worth £104 from Calvin Klein and £320 of clothing from Nike. Kyra Finlay admitted stealing £85 of clothing from Nike and £37 of trainers from Puma.

When arrested and interviewed by police, Katherine Finlay said it was her idea – she just tried the tag remover in store and it worked – "it seemed so easy".

The incentive behind the thefts was to 'spoil' her husband and her children.

Defending, Gary Heaven said: "What puzzles me is to why this happened. These women are of good character. The mother has never been in trouble before in her life, her daughter likewise.

"Katherine Finlay found this device in her bag and wondered if it worked, and it did. She then decided to carry on using it. It was impulsive."

The mother and daughter had health difficulties, Mr Heaven added.

A probation report said neither would be suitable for unpaid work.

Magistrates said it was "strange" that this had happened and placed both defendants under a curfew, where they must reside at their home address between 7pm and 7am.

For Katherine Finlay, this would last for three months, and for Kyra Finlay this would last for two months.

Katherine Finlay would have to separately apply to Warrington Magistrates Court for a curfew exemption which would allow her to go on a pre-planned holiday to Paris with her husband to mark her 50th birthday, magistrates added.

They must each pay £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.