woman was caught shoplifting children's clothes at a Hamilton department store.

Maxine Williams of Devonshire, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court yesterday to taking a child's shirt, pants and jumper from Trimingham Brothers on December 17 without paying.

Police prosecutor Inspector Peter Duffy said shortly before 10 a.m. a security guard observed Williams putting the items into her bag before leaving the store.

She was confronted by the store manager on Reid Street who detained her and recovered the clothes before calling the Police.

Duty Counsel, Mr. Mark Pettingill said Williams, who has no previous convictions, is unemployed and a single mother.

"It's that time of year when people get overcome by the spirit of things.

They want to do something good but do something terribly wrong,'' he said.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. William Francis fined Williams $100.