A WOMAN carried out a series of shoplifting offences to raise money to buy drugs.

Barbara Paulette Westwell, 39, of Whalley Old Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing hair straighteners worth £110 from Sally Salon Hair Services, purses worth £134 from Debenhams and a second theft of hair straighteners worth £35 from Sally Salon.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with six months drug rehabilitation requirement and 12 rehabilitation activity days, fined £5 and ordered to pay £278 compensation.

Gareth Price, defending, said at the time of the offences in August and September his client's life had been chaotic.

"Her benefits are sorted, her medication is sorted and she has stable accommodation," said Mr Price.

"She is in a much better place than she was when these offences were committed."