A WOMAN who been drinking beer and smoking spice tried to steal from a shop so she could buy more booze.

Blackburn magistrates heard Angela Craig told police she "desperate" when she went into Lidl to steal.

Craig, 49, of East Park Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of 11 packs of sliced meat and admitted breach of a community order. She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months with £20 victim surcharge for the shoplifting offence and an extra 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement for breaching the community order.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client accepted she was an alcoholic and it was difficult for her to control her drinking.

"She knows she is damaging herself through her lifestyle and she is running out of time," said Mr Taylor.