A mother-of-three who stole chocolate from an Ipswich Poundland store to help fund her drug addiction has been given a conditional discharge.

Jolanta Akuceviciene, of Norwich Road, Ipswich, admitted two charges of shoplifting when she appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court.

In addition to stealing the 12 bars of Galaxy and 15 Kinder Bueno bars worth £27, the 37-year-old also admitted stealing clothing from Marks & Spencer valued at £48.

Prosecutor Ian Allen told the court Akuceviciene went into Poundland in Carr Street on December 5.

She selected chocolate bars and concealed the items in her bag.

Akuceviciene was challenged by security staff as she left the store.

The court heard she said she had stolen the chocolate with the intention of selling it to buy drugs.

Akuceviciene told staff she was addicted to heroin and cocaine and lived with her three children.

She does not have a partner and receives £170 per week in tax credits.

Akuceviciene was said to have expressed remorse for her actions.

The Marks & Spencer theft occurred on November 28 when she stole a child’s jacket and child’s tracksuit from the Westgate Street store.

On that occasion Akuceviciene took the items from display, went to an isolated area, put them in her bag and left the shop.

Police were called and she was detained in Lady Lane.

The court heard the Lithuanian-national had also intended to sell the items, but this time in order to feed her children.

She also told police she was a drug user who had a problem with Class A substances for six months.

Akuceviciene had spent about £20 a day on her drug habit and is currently on the heroin substitute methadone.

Speaking through an interpreter she told the court: “I would like to sincerely apologise for my behaviour and I’m sorry for what I have done.”

Magistrates gave Akuceviciene a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered her to pay £85 costs as well as £15 to the victims’ fund.