A KLEPTOMANIAC who repeatedly shoplifts was given a community sentence in a bid to get her medical help.
Burnley magistrates heard Carole Cummings, 41, would not stop offending until she received treatment for the "rare" disorder.
Cummings, of Russell Terrace, Padiham, admitted two charges of stealing from shop premises.
She was given a six-month community rehabilitation order but the bench made no order for costs.
The court was told the defendant tried to push a trolleyload of goods worth £72.55 out of Burnley Asda.
She was bailed and was then caught putting groceries worth £15.18 into a leather bag in the Co-op. She had previous convictions for shoplifting.
Dylan Bradshaw, defending, said two independent reports commissioned on Cummings both said she suffered from kleptomania.
The court could make a community rehabilitation order.
The probation service might be able to exert some influence and persuade the psychiatric unit at Rossendale to treat Cummings.
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