A WINCHESTER woman has been ordered to pay compensation after pleading guilty to shoplifting three times over the course of a month.

Dana Merritt, 41, of Wykeham Place, Stanmore, stole a silver necklace worth £29.99 from Tillius in Winchester High Street on Tuesday, August 20, a court heard.

Magistrates also heard that she also shoplifted from One Stop Community Store in Winchester twice in the same week, stealing canned alcohol and tobacco worth £26.35 on September 23, and rum and vodka worth £50.25 on September 26.

READ MORE: Why do local newspapers report on court cases? What can they publish?

Appearing at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Saturday, November 9, Merritt pleaded guilty to the offences.

She must pay £106.59 compensation.

According to the court record, the compensation will be drawn from her benefits, with the total to be paid within 28 days.