A woman went on a shoplifting spree after her drug problem spiralled out of control.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Sharon Scott targeted the same store 13 times and stole goods worth £667.

However, when she switched stores she was caught.

Scott, 34, of Briercliffe Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to 14 offences of shoplifting.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

She was ordered to pay £667 compensation to Tesco Express.

District Judge Jayne Bryan said because of her addiction Scott was in danger of coming back to court again and again.

“At the end of the day you will find yourself locked up and I don’t want that to happen to you,” said District Judge Bryan

Jackie Partington, prosecuting, said the offences at Tesco Express started on March 16 and finished on March 29.

On April 4 she was caught stealing from Superdrug and admitted the other offences, which were caught on CCTV.