A HOMELESS woman was given a conditional discharge after admitting to two charges of theft and three failed bails.

Emma Dodimead pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court to stealing alcohol and foodstuffs from Aldi on March 18 and clothes and food from Asda on May 17.

She has failed to appear in court three times over these offences and the court was told she had 22 previous convictions.

The 38-year-old told the court she is “sofa surfing” and Ian Daly, defending, said Dodimead is an intelligent woman who had suffered from drug problems.

He said she had simply stolen the food as she was hungry and magistrates gave her an 18-month conditional charge. She was ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.