A recovering drug addict has been given another chance by magistrates after admitting three shoplifting offences.

Cherie Turner, of Annbrook Road, Ipswich, committed the thefts when she lived in Leiston.

The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to three theft from shops when she appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Lesla Small said the first offence occurred on December 22, 2014 at Lloyds Pharmacy in High Street, Leiston.

Turner was seen by staff putting Lady Million gift sets in a bag before leaving the premises.

The total value of the theft was £100.

The court heard five days later she went into the Co-op in Leiston and selected a dog blanket among other items.

Turner paid for the other goods but put the £12.50 dog blanket under her arm and left the shop.

On January 7 last year she returned to the Leiston Co-op and took a bottle of Bacardi and some Irn-Bru worth a total of £24.

In her police interview Turner said she had been seriously ill and had spent a long time in the critical care unit at Ipswich Hospital.

She had a heroin addiction and was stealing at the time to fund her drug habit.

Turner told police she was remorseful, was no longer a drug user and wanted a clean start.

Lyndon Davies, representing Turner, said “At the time she was using heroin and in a pretty bad place.”

Magistrates gave Turner a 12-month conditional discharge but ordered her to pay £100 compensation to Lloyds Pharmacy and £36.50 to the Co-op.