A THIEF has been found guilty in her absence after failing to turn up for her court hearing.

Amber Jones was found guilty in her absence of one count of theft from a shop by magistrates in March.

The court heard from prosecutor Owen Beale that the 36-year-old, who was not present or represented by a solicitor at the hearing, had been caught out after stealing meat from the Co-op shop in Ross-on-Wye in July last year.

ALSO READ:

She had stolen steaks worth a total of £32 from the shop, magistrates were told by the prosecutor.

Magistrates in Hereford ordered Jones, of Nursery Road, Ross-on-Wye, to pay compensation of £32 to the Co-op and fined her £150 for the offence.

She was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £135, and a £60 victim surcharge, which is used to help fund services supporting victims of crime.