The Ballarat Magistrates Court was told Ashleigh Cooper was driving the stolen car in Bacchus Marsh on March 30 when police tried to pull her over.

But she failed to stop and police last saw her driving into Gisborne Road.

A witness spotted the stolen car in near-by Long Forest and offered to help Cooper and her co-accused, while two other occupants ran off.

The court was told Cooper became angry and struck the witness’ car with a knife, causing $1000 damage.

Police later located the stolen car and matched fingerprints on it to Cooper, who was also located in the area. 

Ten days before this incident on March 20, Cooper and a co-accused stole clothing from Bacchus Marsh retail store Sportfirst.

The pair left the store in a Holden Commodore. As Cooper drove away in a car, she narrowly missed hitting a staff member who was taking photos of them.

The court was told Cooper was a single mother and she wanted to return home to look after her children.

She pleaded guilty to a string of charges, including car theft, unlicensed driving, criminal damage and careless driving.

Cooper was placed on a 12-month Community Corrections Order, banned from driving for six months and fined $500.