A MOTHER and daughter teamed up to steal more than £2000 worth of cigarettes from a Spar in Dalrymple.

Leanne Cole, 32, of Glebe Avenue and her mum Sheila Cole, 54, of Hillview Dalrymple admitted stealing £2326 worth of cigarettes from the shop on Barbieston Road, between July 4, 2014 and March 21, 2016.

The pair appeared before Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart at Ayr Sheriff Court last week. The court hears how Leanne Cole was an employee of the store.

Depute Fiscal Cath Whyte said: "The outstanding value is £2326 but they have already paid some of that back as a payment plan. She and her mother pay £100 per month.

"At the time this was happening, Miss Cole, [Leanne] was a member of staff. She said she must have made a mistake. When contacted by the police Mrs Cole said her daughter worked in the Spar.

"She said she did not force her daughter to do it. She said it was not planned."

Speaking on Leanne Cole's behalf defence solicitor Glenn Davies said: "She is a genuine first offender. She is really at a loss as to why she did this.

"There were no financial implications. My client does not even smoke. I have produced a letter from her employer. I think there is some sympathy from her employer which you would not expect."

Speaking on behalf of Sheila Cole, defence lawyer Peter Lockhart said: "Mrs Cole is a mother with two grown up children. She has no previous convictions. She did smoke at the time. She was caring after her daughters children. 

"368 packers of number three packets of cigarettes at £3.65 were taken. I have asked her if she has given up cigarettes and she said she had."

Sheriff MacTaggart addressed the dock: "Both of you should realise this is a very serious offence. I appreciate you are both first offenders. Miss Cole, you were in a position of trust with your employer.

"The report suggests you are repaying this. Well it is quite right you are repaying."

MacTaggart order the pair to complete 12 months of CPO under supervision and 120 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.