A HARD-up mother of three went out shoplifting to get cash for shoes for her disabled son, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how Clare Myra Forbes' little boy, who suffers from cerebral palsy, needed a new pair of shoes almost every week.

The defendant, a single mum of three on benefits, was struggling to make ends meet and did not get any extra money for the boy's footwear.

Forbes, who also stole toiletries for her and the children, admitted two counts of theft and asked for three offences to be considered.

The defendant, of Rutland Place, Padiham, was bailed until June 29, for a pre-sentence report and was banned from Sainsburys and the Co-op.

The court was told the defendant helped herself to a £65.40 haul from Sainsburys and £40 of toiletries. She fully admitted what she had done and told police she had to do it as she had a lot of outgoings.

Sara Lyle, defending, said Forbes fully co-operated with police. She intended to sell some of the stolen goods as her financial situation was desperate. Forbes had three children at home, her middle child was disabled and she was a lone parent.