A teenager from Hitchin has been given a community sentence after trying to steal nearly £6,000 worth of John Lewis gift cards over 11 months.

Sianne Dunstan, of Hardy Close, admitted attempting to steal £5,889.98 worth of gift cards from John Lewis in Welwyn Garden City between November 26, 2016, and October 28 last year.

The 18-year-old appeared at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday last week. She was given a year-long community order and must carry out 80 hours of unpaid community work.

Dunstan was ordered to pay compensation of £5,889.98, as well as £85 costs and £85 surcharge – a total bill of £6,059.98.

Magistrates chaired by Denis Falvey took into account her guilty plea when imposing the sentence. She has been allowed to pay £30 per month, at which rate it will take almost four years to clear the balance.