A 35 year old woman who has already been jailed twice this year for shoplifting has been made subject to a criminal behaviour order.

The order imposed by Blackburn magistrates prohibits Victoria June Lee from entering ten retail outlets in Colne from which she has been convicted of stealing.

Lee, 35, of Cleveland Street, Colne, pleaded guilty to stealing four pairs of earrings worth £76 from T K Maxx and jars of coffee worth £34 from the Co-op. She was ordered to pay £34 compensation and made subject to a criminal behaviour order for two years. Under the order she is prohibited from entering Matalan, Savers, Sainsbury, McColls, TK Maxx, Asda, B & M, Boundary Mill, the Co-op and Morrisons. Lidl was removed from the list because she has not offended in that store.

The court heard Lee, who appeared via a video link from prison, was jailed for six weeks in January and then 12 weeks on March 3 for shoplifting offences.

Mark Williams, defending, said the last 14 months had been a total disaster for his client.

Mr Williams said: "Drug misuse seems to be underpinning everything. She accepts that since January of last year it has been offence after offence and court orders have been made followed by custody followed by court order followed by custody.

Making the criminal behaviour order District Judge James Clarke said the penalties for breaching the order were far more severe than for shoplifting.

"Breach of a criminal behaviour order carries up to five years in prison," he said.

Speaking after the hearing, PC Matt Lunny said: "She is an archetypal, prolific shoplifter. It is her trade."

Anyone who sees Lee breaching the order can call police on 101.