A WOMAN with a "long history of theft" stole more than £1,600 of clothing from the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.

Magistrates at Chester Magistrates Court told Lavinia Grancea, they had "strongly considered" sending the defendant to jail immediately, but noted she had a seven-month-old son.

Lavinia Grancea and co-defendant Flavius Grancea, both 27 and of South Lane, Widnes, each pleaded guilty to a number of shoplifting offences and will be sentenced next month, following a pre-sentence report.

Prosecuting, Natasha Williamson said it was at 4pm on May 14 when police were alerted to Cheshire Oaks by security officers following reports of suspected shoplifting, with a group going to and from a Citroen in the car park.

Lavinia Grancea had been seen on CCTV putting items into a child's rucksack, which contained Puma underwear still in its packaging.

The Citroen was searched and "numerous items" from various stores were recovered.

In total, Lavinia Grancea had stolen clothing worth £255 from Next, £214 from New Balance, £268 from North Face, £521 from Diesel, £113 from Puma and £312 from Guess. Flavius Grancea had pleaded guilty to stealing the same clothing from Next, New Balance, Puma and Guess.

A detagger was also found in the car. All items were recovered intact.

Lavinia Grancea had 11 previous convictions for 21 offences, 18 of those for theft, while Flavius Grancea was of previous good character.

Defending, Stevie Bate said the pair had said they heard the clothing in Cheshire Oaks was "cheaper than anywhere else", but when they arrived the clothing was "more expensive than they realised". They had 'no intention to steal' and "had no knowledge of the detagger" and did not use it.

The pair were "extremely remorseful".

Chair of magistrates Fiona Crane told Lavinia Grancea: "We believe you went to Cheshire Oaks deliberately to steal.

"You have a long history of theft. We have considered very strongly sending you straight to prison today and that might still happen at another court hearing, because we are asking for a pre-sentence report."

Both defendants will be sentenced on July 12.

A third person charged with shoplifting, Vionica Yokob, 26, was not able to attend court as she had gone to Romania because of a death in the family, the court heard. A warrant was put out for her arrest as she had given no indication when she would return to the UK.