A 45-YEAR-OLD woman has admitted sneaking into shops to steal chocolate.

Amanda Jane Rimmer, of Pool Lane, Walton, swiped confectionery worth £14.49 from shops in Grappenhall and Lymm.

Halton Magistrates Court heard on Monday how the defendant stole chocolate from Tesco Express on Knutsford Road, on December 1 last year.

She then took goodies from McColls newsagent on Albany Road on January 3.

Rimmer pleaded guilty to two counts of theft.

She was sentenced to an 18 month conditional discharge.

It means the offences will be discounted, unless she offends again within that period.

The defendant will also pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.