Stark warning for teenage thief 

A teenage thief has been warned she's going to "ruin her life" if she continues offending.

17-year-old Shannon Bateson appeared at Douglas Courthouse last Thursday where she pleaded guilty to theft.

The teen, who resides at St Christopher's Care Home, was caught on CCTV stealing from Clear Pharmacy in Douglas on October 5th last year. 

She took a bottle of perfume and an anti-chafing gel worth £23 from a shelf and concealed them in her jumper and handbag. 

Bateson was arrested and told police she couldn't remember being in the shop because she "sometimes experienced blackouts". 

Appearing before the Magistrates her advocate told the court "this is a young lady who's very much struggling" adding she was living "hand to mouth". 

Describing her offending as "a stupid thing to do" he said she hadn't had "an easy start to life" but admitted "she does realise she does need to pack this behaviour in". 

Magistrates fined Bateson £50 and ordered her to pay £50 in costs.