A CAREER criminal with 59 past convictions who walked free from court after shoplifting goods worth £9 has been given a "last chance".

Dawn Mann, was released from prison in January this year after serving a sentence for burglary but she was caught stealing Aerial washing machine tablets and an Airwick plug-in air freshener costing a total of £8.98 from a B&M store on April 24.

The unemployed former drug addict, who is now receiving treatment through a methadone programme was "desperate", said her defence solicitor, Paul Dixon.

Out of her 59 recorded convictions 49 involve the criminal justice system.

“She pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. She was released from custodial sentence in January this year. She had lost her accommodation and her benefits stopped for a period of time, she was desperate,” Mr Dixon explained.

“She has also used drugs in recent times but she is now subject to a methadone programme,” he added. “She tells me she was struggling at the time but she does not intend to fall into this habit again. This really is a last chance.”

Mann, 42, who is unemployed, was spotted by a shop security guard putting the household items into a bag and then leaving without paying.

“At just before 3.40pm she went into a B&M store carrying a cream shopping bag,” said Rachael Dodsworth, prosecuting at Teesside Magistrates’ Court today (THURS).

"She was seen walking around the store and then it was noticed that shelves with goods that had been brought forward were now scant. She had taken Aerial washing liquid gel and an Airwick plug-in air freshener and placed them in her bag.

"She left without payment and the items have not been recovered. She was identified from CCTV footage.”

Mann, of Bath Lane in Stockton, was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £8.98 compensation. She was also ordered by magistrates to pay a £15 victim surcharge.