A SHOPLIFTER who said she didn't remember stealing two bottles of wine from a town centre shop has avoided going to jail.

Kerry Ann Wood, of Low White Close, Barrow appeared at Furness Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to plead guilty to three charges of theft.

The court heard between October 31 2016 and January 17 2017, Wood, 39, stole two bottles of wine and a pair of jeans from shops in Barrow town centre.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre said: "The defendant was seen by staff on CCTV in B&M Bargains (on October 31) and she was seen to take a bottle of wine. "On November 2 the same happened, she was seen taking a bottle of wine and left the store without paying."

The alcohol stolen was a £5.48 bottle of Echo Falls rose wine, and a £3.99 bottle of Three Miles red wine.

The third theft took place on January 17 when Wood attempted to take a pair of £25 jeans from Debenhams in Portland Walk.

Mr Dacre said: "She was monitored by staff on CCTV. She took the jeans and put them in a carrier bag. The staff confronted her and she gave the jeans back."

Wood was described as a well-known offender to security staff in the town centre's shops. The court heard Wood had 11 convictions from 23 offences, 14 of which were for theft.

Her last conviction for shoplifting was as recent as November 16 of last year.

Defending solicitor Michael Graham said his client had a history of substance abuse and was trying to combat her problems.

He said: "Clearly there are some serious issues and problems that explain her behaviour. She has had a problem with substance abuse and has managed to combat them."

He added Wood had kicked a drug addiction only to replace it with a dependency on alcohol.

When Wood entered her pleas, she said she had no memory of stealing the wine from B&M Bargains.

Mr Graham said Wood had complied with her supervision order, and had support agencies "willing to step forwards and engage with her."

Presiding magistrate Mrs Susan Thurston said: "We feel the custody threshold has been passed. These offences have been committed when you were on post-sentencing conditions."

Magistrates sentenced Wood to 12 weeks in prison for the Debenhams theft, and 12 weeks for the B&M thefts.

Both sentences were suspended for one year.

Wood was ordered to pay compensation to B&M Bargains £9.48 for the theft of the wine.

She was also ordered to pay £85 court costs, and a £115 victim surcharge.