A Southampton woman admitted stealing groceries and household items valued at $53.17 when she appeared in Magistrates' Court.

Celita Crofton, 49, of Beaming Hill, stole from Market Place, on Church Street, in Hamilton, on September 18.

She took a package of Crystal Elements, Coffee-Mate, shredded cheese, a can opener, toilet and liquid cleaner, table salt and curry powder.

The court heard Crofton was walking around store aisles with a purple bag in the front of her shopping cart.

Instead of putting items into the cart, she placed them directly in the bag and tried to leave the store without paying.

The store manager approached Crofton and asked if they could look in the purple bag and she agreed. She confessed it contained several items that she neglected to pay for and when questioned by Police admitted she didn't have enough cash.

Crofton was taken to Hamilton Police Station where she interviewed under audio and videotape.

Yesterday in court, represented by duty Counsel Graveney Bannister, she apologised for the offence. "My mind was not correct on that day. It is the first time for something like this that I have done. I would like to say that I apologise."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner ordered a social inquiry report for Crofton and will sentence her on November 22.