A woman claims she stole £600 worth of skincare products to raise cash to pay for her sick mum’s medication.

Ianola Grigore, who targeted a Boots store in Dover with a friend, says she resorted to theft as she was unable to claim benefits as an asylum seeker.

The Romanian national, who has been living in England for four months, offered the excuse for her shoplifting as she appeared before magistrates in Margate this week.

The court was told 23-year-old Grigore and a friend went into the Boots shop in Biggin Street on July 7 and hid a stash of items in her bag.

After they had left the store without paying, a staff member noticed stock missing from the shelves and checked CCTV footage for answers.

It was established £600 worth of goods had been stolen so the police were called.

When officers arrived they realised Grigore and her male accomplice had re-entered the shop and they were arrested.

Grigore, of Browning Road, Enfield, was later charged with shoplifting and admitted the offence in Margate on Monday.

Her friend was also charged with the offence, but it was not stated at the hearing if he had appeared before a court yet.

Julie Farbrace, prosecuting, told magistrates the pair had hidden their hoard somewhere while they went back into the store, but the items were not recovered.

Defending Grigore, who lives with her mum and brother, Mark Trafford said she only took the products because she cannot claim benefits.

He claimed she wanted to help her mother pay for medication, as she is ill.

“She wanted funds for her mum,” he said.

“The other person is not before the court, so I can’t speak for him.

“There was no benefit for her, only to lose her previous good name. The goods were hidden away and found by someone else, shall we say.”

Magistrates handed Grigore a six-month conditional discharge for the offence and ordered her to pay £300 compensation to Boots.