A woman stole handbags from shoppers to feed her drug habit, a court heard.

Sarah Woolgar took a handbag containing £500 from a shopper in Market Street, Brighton, on June 26.

She took another from a shopping trolley in Safeway, St James's Street, on July 13 and stole a wallet, containing £10, from a customer's bag in Asda, at Hollingbury, on July 22.

Woolgar, 22, of Selsfield Drive, Brighton, admitted three charges of theft when she appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court.

The court heard Woolgar, who has previous convictions for theft, had been remanded in custody since her arrest six weeks ago.

Maxine Buck, defending, said: "She has a tragic background. Her drug addiction has been the prime motivation for these offences. She never wants to use drugs again."

Magistrates adjourned the case until September 27 for sentence.

Woolgar was bailed on condition she reports daily to police.