PERSISTENT shoplifter Lorraine Pennington was given a final chance by magistrates when she appeared in court for the third time this year.

Blackburn magistrates heard that she was already subject to probation orders imposed for the same offence and she accepted that prison was a distinct possibility.

But the magistrates deferred sentence for three months on condition that Pennington keep out of trouble and co-operates with the probation service.

Pennington, 29, of Bridgemill Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing a hair dye from Superdrug.

Roger Pickles, defending, said his client expected to go to prison but he hoped to persuade her to opt for a deferred sentence.

He said his client, who has two young daughters, was fighting against a heroin addiction and had taken positive steps towards improving her life.

Mr Pickles said the most positive thing she had done was end the relationship with her long-time partner who was hopelessly addicted to heroin.

"She still has feelings for him but she realises that if she is ever to beat the addiction she has got to remove him from her life," said Mr Pickles.