A RECOVERING drug addict broke down in tears when she was fined by magistrates for stealing an elderly carer’s handbag from a park bench.

Danielle Alexis Llewellyn, of High Street, Leominster, snatched the bag from a bench at the Grange in the town, while the 82-year-old victim was sitting with her husband, for whom she cares.

Hereford Magistrates Court was told by prosecuting solicitor Shafquat Reaz that Llewellyn ran off after snatching the bag on August 18. The elderly woman then tried to chase Llewellyn, before some children also helped.

They chased Llewellyn down an alleyway, where, at the other end, police were on patrol. They then arrested Llewellyn.

The victim was left shaken up but injured. In a statement she said her husband has anxiety and had in the past been treated for depression. He has been unable to leave the house alone since, and fears going back to the Grange in case a similar incident happens again.

Mr Reaz added: “She hopes that hearing of the upheaval of the despicable action [means] the thief will endeavour to change her ways. She would hate to think of anyone else going through it.”

Emma Thorne, for Llewellyn, said her client has health issues and was in court with her carer. She had been engaging with services for drug rehabilitation, and the crime was “impulsive”.

Magistrates handed Llewellyn a 12-month community order with six months drugs rehabilitation and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Llewellyn, who pleaded guilty to one count of theft, was also told to pay £135 costs, £95 victim surcharge and £100 compensation.