A homeless and penniless drug addict with 90 previous convictions stole perfume and a handbag to sell for food just days after being released from jail.
Laura Neale was arrested for shoplifting in Leicester city centre last Saturday after being released from prison on the Monday before.
Read more: Shepshed bride plans wedding in just two weeks so terminally-ill mum can see her tie the knot
Neale, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of perfume and a handbag worth a total of £136.97 from TK Maxx in Leicester city centre on March 18.
Prosecutor Zabin Chauhan told the court that Neale had 90 previous convictions for 193 offences, 140 of which were theft-related.
TK Maxx store in Leicester city centre
She said that security staff at TK Maxx watched Neale on the in-store CCTV after she entered the store.
Ms Chauhan said: "She was seen to remove the plastic wrapping off two bottles of perfume.
"She then removed a handbag from a display and took the security tag off.
"She put the perfume into the bag and walked out of the store without paying."
Neale was then stopped by a security guard and walked back into the store with the goods.
Miss Isabel Wilson, defending, told Leicester Magistrates Court how the 27-year-old was a heroin addict and had been for years.
Miss Wilson said that Neale had just been released after receiving an eight-week prison sentence on February 14 for a theft offence.
She said: "She has often stolen to pay for drugs but this time she had no money at all and stole to pay for food.
"She had no accommodation either and was homeless."
Miss Wilson said that she had known Neale since she was 13 years old.
She said: "She suffered serious abuse during her childhood and turned to drugs to cope.
"She has been a victim all her life and has survived by using drugs and stealing to pay for that drug habit.
"She has been in court since she was 13. These short custodial sentences are not working.
"She has no support, she has no family, she is alone. She needs proper help."
Chair of the bench Jean Anderson gave Neale a six-month conditional discharge.
After being sentenced Neale told the magistrates: "Thank you".
read more: Tigers fans warned of possible disruption ahead of derby with Saints