A DRUG-addicted, prolific shoplifter has finally been jailed after wrecking a chance to stay out of prison.

In February Charlene McKerrow, who is banned for all town centre shops after racking up convictions for 75 offences, was given a suspended prison sentence for repeatedly breaching her criminal behaviour order and theft.

But Bolton Crown Court heard how 32-year-old McKerrow, of no fixed address, then failed to engage with the probation service and had returned to her "chaotic" life.

She appeared in court via a video link from Styal prison and admitted breaching her suspended sentence.

Andrew Costello, defending, said: "She approaches her situation in a pragmatic position.

"She recognises that she was given an opportunity which, to a casual observation, she had most definitely squandered."

He added that she accepts that a prison sentence might help her to sort her life out and find stable accommodation on her release.

Judge Tom Gilbart stated that McKerrow has an "extremely troubling and quite tragic personal history" and accepted that she has mental health and accommodation difficulties.

Sentencing her to 16 months in prison he told her: "You were given the opportunity, by me, of a suspended sentence order.

"You were told in clear terms what would happen if you failed to comply with the order.

"It can't possibly be unjust to impose the custodial term."