A homeless woman desperate to raise money for food stole five pairs of sunglasses from her employer in Carlisle.

Susan White, 50, was caught after somebody called the shop to tip them off that she had tried to sell them sunglasses stolen from the city's Vision Express store.

Appearing at the magistrates' court in Carlisle, the defendant, who formerly lived at Burnett Road in the city, admitted a single offence of theft on August 7.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said that after getting the tip-off, staff at the store, where White worked as a cleaner, decided to search her handbag.

Inside they found three pairs of sunglasses.

White later admitted she had taken another two pairs.

The value of the sunglasses was put at between £39 and £260 each, said Mrs Ward.

The prosecutor added: "She said it was because her benefits had been stopped.

"She was desperate for money."

Sara Budniak, for White, said her client was currently living a rather erratic lifestyle.

The lawyer explained: "She has lived in Carlisle for a number of years and previously had problems with alcohol.

"She's managed to get over that problem and has been clean of alcohol for eight years."

Miss Budniak said the defendant had come to Carlisle after being in an abusive relationship elsewhere.

"She's sofa-surfing and her benefits have been sanctioned because she is of no fixed abode.

"So she hasn't had letters for appointments she should have been attending.

"She was working in the shop for seven months and this offence happened over a couple of days.

"She appreciates that it was a breach of trust but it was purely to enable her to live and buy food.

"That's her explanation."

White had lost her job as a result of what happened and had been depending on the local Foodbank and the Salvation Army, said Miss Budniak.

She added that her client was vulnerable.

Magistrates imposed a 12 month community order, with a stipulation that White complete 50 hours of unpaid work in the community.

She must also pay £85 costs and compensation of £78 to Vision Express.