A WOMAN went shoplifting the day after she was released from a prison sentence imposed for similar offences.

Blackburn magistrates heard Rebecca Waldron had lost her accommodation and had her belongings dumped in a skip while she was in prison.

And she spent the first two nights after her release sleeping at the back of a bingo hall.

Waldron, 29, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of fabric conditioner from the One Stop Shop, King Street, Bacup.

She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months after the magistrates said they were prepared to give her a chance.

"If you breach this order it really will be straight back to prison," said the chairman.

Damian Pickup, defending, said his client had suffered drug and alcohol issues for four years and prior to that had been very lightly convicted.

When she came out of prison she went back to where she had been living and found it boarded up.

"She contacted the landlord who said she wasn't welcome there anymore," said Mr Pickup.

"She asked where her property was and he said it had been thrown in a skip."

Mr Pickup said slept behind the bingo hall her first night out of prison and the following day stole the fabric conditioner which she sold for £4 so she could buy food.

After spending a second night behind the bingo hall she managed to get a bed at a friend's house for a night.

"The following day she managed to contact her grandma who lives in Stockport and she had agreed to come and pick her up and take her home with her," said Mr Pickup.

"She was waiting for her grandma when she was arrested.

"I have spoken to grandma today and she says if the defendant is released today she will come and pick her up, take her back to Stockport and give her a chance to make a fresh start."