A THIEF helped herself to a pensioner's purse with £40 cash in it after asking if she could use her victim's phone.

Burnley Magistrates heard Rebecca Joan Oxley, 26, who also struck at two charity shops, told the 78-year -old woman she wanted to phone the woman's son, Frank, but walked out with the cash.

Oxley, who the court was told once committed self harm almost every day, was given a 12 month community rehabilitation order and must pay £40 compensation and £60 costs.

She had offended on bail and was subject to a court order.

Oxley, of Thorn Street, Burnley, admitted three counts of theft.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said the victim answered the door to the defendant who told her she was Frank's friend.

She asked if she could use the telephone to ring Frank but had no money. The pensioner agreed, pointed to the telephone and went into the kitchen.

As she walked back into the living room, Oxley left and the woman saw her putting something into the back of her trousers. The complainant was suspicious and found her purse and £40 missing.

She went to a nearby pub and asked the landlord to phone the police. Oxley had 33 previous convictions.

Mr Hartley said when Oxley was arrested the next day, she was interviewed, accepted she had gone into the house but denied being responsible for the theft.

She claimed she wouldn't dream of doing anything like that and would not steal from an old lady. Mark Williams, defending, said Oxley, who had previously set herself on fire, had earlier asked to be remanded in custody and would nt be talked out of it.

She felt it was the only way to sort herslf out and perhaps she had been right, as that had got her away from drugs, a.lthough the issue was still there and she needed treatment.

Mr Williams, who added the charity shop thefts were "somewhat distasteful," added the defendant was now far more stable in terms of her mental health and had also got a settled home.