A SERIAL thief who has spent much of the last two years behind bars has won her freedom, to see if a curfew works in a bid to keep her out of shops.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Denise Burton, 38, who had almost 70 previous convictions for stealing, was unwilling to co-operate with the probation service, accepted jail terms when they were handed down to her and had effectively given up hope.

Her solicitor told the bench her position was a "sad story," and the probation service now felt they could do nothing to help her.

The defendant, who helped herself to a taxi office worker's £180 council tax money after taking her in with a sob story, was given a six months curfew order, seven days a week between 11am and 7pm.

Burton, of Albion Terrace, Burnley, had admitted stealing from shop premises and theft on October 6 and 7. The bench made no order for costs.

Joanne Shahzada, prosecuting, said the defendant went into the taxi office, claimed her boyfriend had beaten her up and thrown her out. She said she was not well and asked the receptionist to make her a cup of tea..

The woman, who had known Burton for eight years, felt sorry for her and went to put the kettle on. She then heard the front door open and close and found Burton had gone with her purse, containing £180 cash.

Miss Shahzada said the woman told police that if Burton had asked to borrow some cash, she would have lent her some. The money was to pay her council tax bill.

Mark Williams, defending, said Burton had been in custody for three weeks. She realised it was nasty to take money from somebody who was trying to help her and felt bad about what she had done.

The defendant had not been assaulted by her boyfriend as she did not have one, but by people she owed money to.

Mr Williams said Burton had been to custody 10 times for short periods since the beginning of 2000 and had spent the majority of the time in prison.

She repeatedly offended and community orders tried lately had not got off the ground. The probation service did not feel they could do anything that might help Burton at the moment.

The solicitor said the defendant clearly regretted the position she was in but could not really do anything positive to get herself out of it. It was a sad story.

Mr Williams told the court:"If she is sent to custody, she will accept the sentence. She always does. I think she has found herself in a position where she has given up hope."