A prolific shoplifter cried when she was given a chance to sort her life out by magistrates who told her to take better care of herself.

Lynsey Osborne was caught stealing almost £200 worth of sweets and chocolate from a Co-op store in Rochester.

The 39-year-old had only been jailed days before for other shop theft offences but magistrates decided against extending her sentence.

She went into the Co-op store in Delce Road on June 2 and swiped £199.40 of goods from inside. Magistrates heard she stole the items to sell them to pay for more booze as she had a long-standing problem with alcohol after previously weaning herself off heroin.

Osborne, who used to live in Chatham, but is now of no fixed address, admitted one charge of shoplifting when she appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court via video link on July 24, from HMP Bronzefield where she was serving a short sentence for similar offences.

Julie Farbrace, prosecuting, said: “She was with a male when she entered the Co-op and went to the confectionary aisle.

"He reached up to the shelves and took nine handfuls of items and she went to stand by him and opened the bag. He put the items in the bag.

“She then reaches for the shelves and puts more items in and he is then seen picking up a box and putting it in the bag too.

"Once it is filled up she follows him as he walks out of the store and they walk away.

“She was arrested and said no comment during interview but pleads guilty today.

“The male has been identified but has not yet been arrested.”

Nigel Riley, mitigating, told the court his client was handed a 20-day sentence on July 19. He confirmed she was due to be released on Friday (July 26).

He added: “This matter should have been brought before the court last week when she would have probably been given a concurrent sentence. I urge you to give her a sentence that doesn’t extend her time from last Friday, I’d suggest a conditional discharge.

“She has no other matters outstanding.

“Her father died recently, she doesn’t have anywhere to live, she’s stayed with friends in the past, she’s on reduced Universal Credit too and gets £200 a month as she’s had loans from the DWP, so she’s got deductions.”

He also told magistrates Osborne committed the offences because she’s got a long-standing alcohol problem.

Mr Riley added: “She was previously addicted to heroin but she weened herself off that. She is drinking heavily as a substitute.

“She stole the goods to sell them to buy alcohol.”

Magistrate decided they would give Osborne a conditional discharge for six months and told her if she re-offended then she could be resentenced over the matter.

The chairman of the bench added: ”Don’t break this conditional discharge and attend appointments with probation as they will listen and help and advise.

“Say to yourself I am going to look after me, as it’s (the probation service) someone on your side.

“You are better than that, start taking care of yourself.”

Osborne sobbed when she heard what the chairman said and promised them she would attend her appointments.

She was also ordered by the bench to pay £99.70 back to the Co-op store, half of the cost of the items stolen.