A NEW mum who tried to get a laptop computer with a fake credit card was told by magistrates she was very lucky not to go to jail.

The Burnley bench heard how Marie Devlin, 30, who had 39 previous convictions for theft, had committed offences while on bail and was in breach of a conditional discharge.

The justices told her they hoped she made the most of the opportunity they were giving her.

Devlin, of Florence Avenue, Burnley, was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order, after admitting two counts of theft and one of attempted deception.

The court was told Devlin helped herself to nine cans of Impulse body spray and children's dresses from Woolworths.

She tried to get the computer from Comet in Leeds and when she was told the credit card was counterfeit, said she had never used it before.

Mark Williams, defending, said Devlin had been taken to Leeds and had been told to go in the store and to get something with the credit card.

She was being watched and deliberately signed the name wrong so she would get caught. The offence must come very close to duress.

The recent birth of Devlin's baby had added to her determination to sort herself out as far as drug misuse was concerned

Mr Williams added the defendant made immediate admissions of what she had done and all the property which she had taken had been recovered.