A WOMAN caught stealing a trolley load of goods from Tesco told security she didn't even know what she had taken.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when she was asked why she had done it Cherie Green said; "Because I am fed up, I need help."

Green, 44, of Devonshire Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to theft of goods worth £126 from Tesco in Burnley and theft of batteries worth £308 from Sainsburys in Burnley.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months, with a nine months drug rehabilitation requirement, fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said when she was stopped walking out with a trolley load Green initially said her boyfriend was in the car outside and he was going to pay.

She became agitated when she was asked to return and made the comment about needing help.

At Sainsburys she was stopped by security as she left the store and a large quantity of AA batteries were found in her bag.

She said a friend had asked her to get them and she was going to sell them.

Janet Sime, defending, said there had been a lot going on in her client's life in the past 12 months.

"She has been trying to get clear of drugs but her partner didn't want to do the same," said Miss Sime.

"She left him because of that and is currently on a methadone prescription and working hard to get her life back on track."