A SERIAL shoplifter added two further offences to her extensive criminal record and was warned by Isle of Wight magistrates — offend again and you could be jailed.

Emma James, 34, admitted shop thefts at Morrisons in Newport on April 24 and 27.

On April 24, James, with a male accomplice, stole three candles and a faux fur blanket, together worth £34.

She went to the self scan checkout, paid for one of the candles with cash, then placed the remaining items in her bag and left the store.

"They were arrested outside the store and the items were recovered from the accomplice's suitcase," said Liz Miller, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

Three days later, James, of Newport Road, Ventnor, entered the store and selected three cans of Gin Fizz and a chicken sandwich, worth £16.70, and left without any attempt to pay.

The items were not recovered.

Her last conviction for shoplifting was in November last year, together with a further 20 on her record.

Jobless James was on a year's probation at the time of her recent offences to address her alcohol and drug abuse, and had also received a warning letter for failing to attend an appointment, the bench was told.

For James, James Cameron said his client was a vulnerable person who had suffered a bad previous relationship, which saw her alcoholism spiral downwards.

Magistrates handed James a concurrent six-month probation order and was warned if she failed to comply with it, she faces a possible jail term.

James was also ordered to pay Morrisons £16.70 compensation, a £95 victim surcharge and £85 costs.