A single mother of two struggling to pay debts has narrowly escaped jail after admitting a string of shoplifting offences.

Kylie Brown, of Johnson Avenue, Gillingham, pleaded guilty to four charges of theft and one of committing another offence while on a conditional discharge at Medway Magistrates' Court.

The 23-year-old, who has previous convictions for similar offences, stole clothes, DVDs and baby products.

Brown was also seen in Gillingham's B&Q store, where she walked out with a £60 balustrade.

She stole clothes from Sainsbury's, in Gravesend, before going back to steal DVDs and baby products worth £410. Brown also admitted stealing £120 of DVDs from Matalan in Maidstone.

Magistrates heard Brown, who has two children aged three and six, was in about £20,000 of debt and carried out the thefts as she was struggling to cope with her finances.

The court was told she was "extremely remorseful" for her actions and now had a boyfriend who worked.

It was said she was hopeful of getting a job as a carer and wanted to turn her life around.

Brown was given a 30-day prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to attend education and training sessions with the probation service.

Magistrate Russell Race, said: "We can see there is a history of repeat offending, but we are reluctant to send you to prison as you have young children.

"This is in your hands now - this is your last chance saloon."