A woman who had been out of trouble for nearly two years had a "bit of a wobble" following the death of her grandma, a court has been told.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Amy Barnes committed three offences of shoplifting in quick succession, targeting the same shop on each occasion.

The court was told it was her grandparent's death that caused her to decide to return to criminality.

Barnes, 27, of Newfield Drive, Nelson, pleaded guilty to three charges of shoplifting from the Spar in Leeds Road, Nelson.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with a six month drug rehabilitation requirement.

She was also ordered to pay £77 compensation, £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Mark Williams, by way of mitigation, said his client started offending in 2019 and there had been a rapid downward spiral of drugs and offending and eventually prison.

"She got a 12 months sentence which gave her a break from the lifestyle and, in particular, the partner she had at the time," said Mr Williams.

"She had beenout of trouble for two years when she lost her grandmother at the end of February and had, in her words, a bit of a wobble.

"It’s unfortunate there has been this burst of offending again," said Mr Williams.

"It does seem to be a reaction to the bereavement."