Coffee shoplifter could face jail

Burnley Magistrates Court heard how Claire Marie Garrard (31) had an appointment with the probation service and a judge told her she must attend.

Garrard had admitted theft of five jars of Carte Noir coffee, worth £21.75, from Spar on July 15th. The defendant, of Claughton Street, Burnley, will be sentenced today.

District Judge Duncan Birrell told the sobbing defendant: “I understand that you have considerable difficulties because of disorders from which you suffer which cause you problems but that is not a blank sheet for you to break the law.

“If you genuinely want help, the probation service and the order already in existence are there to provide you with that opportunity.”

The judge told Garrard if she didn’t attend last Friday’s apppointment, then “you will have shown the court that making any other order than prison is pointless.”

He added: “I don’t want to send a woman of your age with your difficulties to prison, but if you present the court with no alternatives that is what will happen.”