A LITHUANIAN asylum seeker was accused of being part of a shoplifting gang which targeted Skipton.

Sandra Aleksandroviovicuite, 20, of Devenport Street, Liverpool, admitted two charges of theft when she appeared before Skipton magistrates on Friday.

Prosecuting, Louise Jenkins said police officers discovered a stolen bottle of aftershave from Rackhams and a second-hand baby's dressing gown in the Lithuanian's bag on February 23.

Mrs Jenkins said: "She told police she travelled to Skipton by train with a friend."

But Mrs Jenkins said police believed there was a link between the defendant and a Mercedes car containing five Russians which was stopped on Skipton High Street shortly after she was released.

The prosecutor explained: "When the vehicle's boot was searched, it was found to contain a large number of items of property which were suspected to be stolen.

"Those finds led the police to believe the activities of the defendant were part of an organised shoplifting expedition."

Mrs Jenkins added that three of the vehicle's occupants were arrested.

Defence solicitor Paul Fitzpatrick said the defendant stood by the account she gave to the police, even though officers doubted its accuracy.

He added: "According to the police, more sophisticated people appear to be involved in this visit to Skipton.

"I hope the court doesn't believe this young lady is part of any organised ring.

"Not for the first time a young, immature individual without convictions is left carrying the can."

The court heard that the defendant travelled to England four years ago with her mother, seeking asylum.

Mr Fitzpatrick said her application was never processed because Lithuania joined the EU, and she was not entitled to any benefits.

He said: "With the background she has it would have been extremely easy for her to simply disappear. Clearly she has not chosen to do that."

The defendant was given a 12-month conditional discharge and no order was made for court costs.