A WOMAN with a drug and drink problem turned to shoplifting to try to repay a debt to a loan shark.
Blackburn magistrates heard Rebecca Louise Waldron went on a four day shoplifting spree in April and then committed another 12 offences in July and August.
Waldron, 28, of Market Street, Bacup, pleaded guilty to 12 charges of shoplifting. She was sentenced to a community order for 12 months with nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 20 days' rehabilitation activity requirement. She was fined £75 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge. The magistrates revoked the conditional discharge imposed in April.
Gareth Price, defending, said his client had been out of trouble for five years before the five day spree in April.
"There was no record of shoplifting and there have now been 15 offences in 2018," said Mr Price.
"She is struggling to pay off a loan shark and that is behind the offences."
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