A would-be food thief is counting the cost of a "dear burger" after trying to steal a takeaway delivered to her Carlisle home.

Jane Kirkpatrick, 28, was sentenced by a judge at the city's crown court after she admitted attempted theft.

This related to a £21.40 fast food order, on April 19, and resulted in Kirkpatrick being handed a £310 court bill.

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said Thomas Conley was working as a delivery driver for the Top Stop outlet, Botchergate.

He was asked to deliver a cheeseburger, packet of cigarettes and drink to Kirkpatrick's Greta Avenue home.

"He describes knocking on the door," said Mr McEntee. "He indicates that a 'lad' - clearly accepted subsequently by Ms Kirkpatrick that this was her - came to the door.

"Mr Conley asks for the money but Ms Kirkpatrick says 'give me the food first'."

Mr Conley instead walked away. "He then feels somebody grab at his jacket, saying 'give me the food'," said Mr McEntee.

Police were called, and Kirkpatrick was arrested and interviewed. She indicated she had been drinking during the course of the day - although she was "not drunk".

She accepted that, had the delivery driver handed over the food, she would not have paid for it.

Mark Shepherd, defending, said there was "little or no planning" to Kirkpatrick's criminal act, which was "bound to fail".

She was even, said Mr Shepherd, a "regular Top Stop customer".

Judge Barbara Forrester fined Kirkpatrick £200 and imposed further court charges of £110.

"Delivery drivers are vulnerable," said the judge. "They are entitled to protection from the court."

As Kirkpatrick left the court dock, she was heard to say: "Well, that was a dear burger."