A COUPLE had three children with them when they went on a shoplifting expedition.

Blackburn magistrates heard property worth over £1,200 was recovered from their car.

Melissa McDonagh, 32, of Topsham Walk, Manchester, pleaded guilty to theft of property worth £553 from B & Q, Blackburn, theft of bottles of alcohol worth £254 from Tesco, Haslingden, theft of spirits worth £192 from Asda, Blackburn, and theft of clothing worth £211 from B & M Bargains, Blackburn.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £80 and ordered to pay £95 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Peter Anthony McDonagh, 34, of the same address, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the thefts and driving without insurance or licence.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 50 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £95 victim surcharge and £85 costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Peter McDonagh was driving and hence the aiding and abetting charges. At B & Q he created a scene to allow others to leave the store.

A 14-year-old child was named in the charges and the court heard he had been dealt with in the youth court.

Mr Robinson said there were two other children present who were both under 14. He said another aggravating factor was the use of foil-lined bags in some of the thefts.