social pressure, received a conditional discharge when she appeared in Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Tiffany June Anne Pitcher, 16, of My Lords Bay, Hamilton Parish, pleaded guilty to stealing the skirts, valued at $86, on May 19.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner heard that around 7 p.m., Pitcher and two others entered the 2002 Juniors Ladies Boutique on Court Street and proceeded to browse around the store.

Pitcher then entered a changing room with several items and of the items, put two skirts into her bag.

She then left the store without paying for the items.

The court heard that at the time of the incident, Ms Pitcher resided at The Brangman Home in Smith's.

The owner of the store notified Police of the theft and consequently they attended the home to question her.

Pitcher was later arrested and admitted that she stole the items.

In her defence Pitcher said: "I want to apologise to the court and to 2002. I was going through a little bit of changes. This is not in my character.'' Mr. Warner also heard testimony from a representative at the Brangman Home on Pitcher's behalf.

"She was going through a crisis at that time,'' the woman said. "She has had to deal with a lot of things going on in her life. "I knew that she was not acting in her normal capacity. I ask that the court beg her pardon and let her continue in a positive way.'' Mr. Warner replied: "This is a simple, straight forward case of shop lifting.

Regardless of what obstacles and crises we face in life, we can't go around stealing other people's stuff.'' Mr. Warner gave Pitcher a conditional discharge for 12 months and warned: "If you commit a criminal act within 12 months of this I will convict you. You've got to walk the straight and narrow and try and get things under control.''