Two middle school students whose parents said "they had no reason to steal" were told in Juvenile Court yesterday that they had to keep their noses clean for twelve months if they were to maintain a clean record.

Magistrate Tyrone Chin and his panel heard how the girls, aged 14 and 15, shoplifted various hair products, valued at $23, on July 23 this year and then attempted to walk out of the Phoenix Store without paying. Both admitted the offence to Police before the matter was brought to court. While both girls apologised for their actions, one of them broke down in tears when her mother addressed the panel.

"I don"t understand why she did this," the mother said. "She has no reason to steal. When she"s by herself, I don't have any problems. It's when she gets around her friends." The mother also admitted that her daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had not been doing as well as she could have in school but was now receiving help from Child and Adolescent Services.