A SHOPLIFTER stopped off to steal a £25 coat from Primark on her way to court to be sentenced for other shop thefts.

Darlene Mullen, 26, was wearing the coat when she arrived at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday - and even asked security staff to put the tags in the bin for her.

Darlene Mullen being arrested at court yesterday soon after nicking a coat from Primark Credit: Perthshire Picture Agency

She was also carrying five wraps of heroin worth around £100 when she turned up for her hearing.

Today the court heard she had failed to appear yesterday because she was arrested in the same building shortly before her case was called.

Mullen was nicked on the court steps after she was spotted on the shop's CCTV and identified by her distinctive red wellies.

Fiscal depute Carol Whyte said: "The item was valued at £25. When the accused was arrested at court yesterday she was wearing the jacket.

"Although it was not in a re-saleable condition, I doubt she still has it."

Mullen was arrested after being identified by her distinctive red wellies Credit: Perthshire Picture Agency

Mullen, this time brought to the dock in custody, admitted stealing clothing from Primark yesterday while she was on bail, and being in possession of the drugs.

Sentencing for the new theft and the cases that were due to be dealt with yesterday was adjourned for reports.

Also in court was co-accused Natalie Radunski, 22, from Perth, who admitted stealing items of clothing from Primark.

Sheriff Gillian Wade told them: "Both of your records are appalling. I am going to remand both of you in custody."

Scotland and northern England were lashed by heavy rain yesterday as Storm Ali brought down trees, left 172,000 without power and killed two people in Ireland.

A court source said: "It was absolutely tipping down when they arrived at court and Darlene hadn't even taken the label and price tag off the jacket she had stolen.

"To hand the tags over to the security staff on the door at the court might not have been the brightest idea she ever had.

"There was already an alert out for her after she was spotted leaving Primark and her bright red wellies made it pretty easy for the police to identify her."

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