TWO women convicted of stealing protein powder from a Hereford shop have been ordered to pay compensation.

Jessica Turner, 35, from Etnam Street, Leominster, stole protein powder from Holland and Barrett on three separate occasions, and was joined by Charleen Burns, 42, of Ledbury Road, Hereford, during one of these thefts.

Turner pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, stealing more than £500-worth of the powder, and Burns pleaded guilty to stealing £195-worth, together with Turner.

Hereford Magistrates' Court heard Burns took the powder to sell it to fund her drug habit- she had been using heroin for the last ten years.

Magistrates gave her a six-month community order with a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement. She was fined £50, ordered to pay compensation of £97.50 to Holland and Barrett, and a criminal court charge of £150 and a victim surcharge of £60.

The court heard Turner was homeless at the time of the offences and not in receipt of benefits. She now lives with her partner. Turner had been clean from heroin for 15 years but had recently started using again.

She was given a nine month community order with a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement. She was fined £50, ordered to pay compensation of £560.42 to Holland and Barrett, a criminal court charge of £180 and a victim surcharge of £60.