A woman who twice stole laundry products from a corner shop was locked in by the shopkeeper when she tried her luck for a third time.

Blackburn Magistrates’ Court heard how the owner of the store had viewed CCTV from the first two incidents and recognised Kayley Marie Gray when she came in the third time.

Gray, 31, of Pendle Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to three charges of theft of laundry products from the One Stop Shop, Church Street, Darwen.

Lee Woodyatt, prosecuting, said how on the first two occasions Gray had entered the store and after a few minutes shouted out to a man in a black car that “they didn't have it”. She then left the store.

The first theft occurred on August 14, when she stole £80 worth of laundry liquids, while £20 of laundry products were stolen again on August 21.

When she came in on the third occasion, on September 3, the shopkeeper told his wife to call the police and he locked the shop door. Gray had tried to steal £25 worth of products on this occasion.

"She said she would give the items back, but he said she had stolen previously," said Mr Woodyatt.

"The man in the black car came to the door and tried to get it open but he left when the police arrived."

After admitting to stealing £100 worth of products from the shop and attempting to pinch a further £25 worth, magistrates ordered Gray to pay £100 compensation to the shopkeeper.