A shop assistant who stole to meet mounting debts has been ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

Gayna Osborne, aged 37, of St David’s Road, Llandudno, pleaded guilty at the town’s magistrates’ court, to stealing £2,499 from Boots the chemist between December 23 and February 29.

Prosecutor Diane Williams said that although the charge was one of theft there was an element of fraud and of pre-planning.

Deborah Davies, defending, said that Osborne was a woman of good character who had been going through a difficult time, being in debt and worried about her mother, who had since died.

“She is truly sorry for what she did,” said Mrs Davies.

Osborne was given a 12-month community order to include 120 hours of unpaid work. Sh e was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £90 surcharge.