A SHOPLIFTER had a taxi waiting outside a Blackburn store to use as a getaway car.

Blackburn magistrates heard the plan backfired when the driver suspected she had been stealing and refused to drive off.

Zoe Ann Crowther, 44, of Hesketh Street, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to theft of lamb from Lidl and theft of meat products from Texaco garage. She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with a nine months drug rehabilitation requirement and 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement. She was also fined £40 and ordered to pay £40 compensation and £85 victim surcharge.

Mark Williams, defending, said on both occasions his client had been caught.