A Tycroes mother of three claimed she had not intended to steal more than £100-worth of clothing from an Ammanford fashion boutique but when the items fell from their hangers as she was browsing in the store she decided to take them.

Tracey Linehan was seen inspecting garments on display at the Catherine Blair boutique at 3.40pm on June 2 and staff noticed a number of empty hangers close to where the 28-year-old had been.

The shop manager - Ms Thomas - spoke to Linehan and asked where the missing items were.

Linehan claimed they had fallen on the floor and left the store.

Ms Thomas attempted to call her back and threatened to the call police, but Linehan ignored her and set off towards Quay Street.

Linehan was eventually apprehended by police and searched.

Two items from the boutique were recovered along with two Sanctuary cosmetic sets.

Linehan admitted the items had been stolen Catherine Blair Fashions and Boots respectively.

The clothing was valued at £105 and the cosmetic sets £94.99.

In interview, Linehan claimed the when the tops had fallen from their hangers she took them.

"I did not plan to take them when I went into the shop," she said.

"I was just doing my regular daily browsing."

Richard Morgan, defending, said: “It is difficult to explain why she stole the items.

“She does not want to put forward any excuse and fully accepts her wrongdoing.”

Linehan admitted two counts of shoplifting.

Llanelli magistrates imposed a 12-month community sentence and ordered her to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay a £150 court charge, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.