A SHOPLIFTER with 63 previous convictions behind her was spared jail after striking again while subject to a court order.

Gina Sara Smallwood, 24, had not offended since last December and had not breached her conditional bail, Burnley Magistrates heard

The defendant, of Yorkshire Street, Bacup, was given an 18 months conditional discharge and told to pay £27.98 compensation. She admitted two charges of stealing from shop premises and one of offending while subject to a conditional discharge.

The bench said the defendant was trying to address her drug habit and the stolen goods were of low value.

Jeremy Frain, defending, said Smallwood had put herself at serious risk. She had become known to the police for the first time at the age of 19.

Smallwood had gone through the earlier stages of her life without involving herself in criminality, but drugs had been her downfall.

She had not offended for four months and had made significant progress in addressing her substance dependency.

Mr Frain said prison would be a backwards step for the defendant. She had experienced custody and it had not worked. It might have taken her out of circulation, but she had come out and committed offences.

The solicitor added she had learned her lesson and was trying by her own efforts to go back on the straight and narrow.