A YORK woman, who broke her leg while playing football in prison, has had her sentence extended for offences committed in breach of her licence.

Lisa Jane Dowson, 24, appeared before Harrogate magistrates via a video link with Durham's Low Newton Prison yesterday.

Defence solicitor Sandra Keen said Dowson, of Robinson Court, Walmgate, had been released on licence last October, but had been recalled to serve the remainder of a 27-month sentence imposed by York Crown Court in October 2001.

The recall had come after a further conviction for shoplifting in February, which added 28 days to her sentence.

Dowson, who was expecting to be released on June 18, admitted two charges of handling stolen goods and one of failing to answer bail, all committed in breach of the licence.

Mrs Keen said Dowson was currently on crutches because of a broken leg sustained while playing football in custody.

A second woman, Sabrina Mariga, 25, the mother of a nine-year-old daughter, from Stuart Road, Acomb, York, pleaded guilty to two theft charges and one of handling.

Her solicitor David Hurlstone said the offences had been unsophisticated and impulsive rather than part of a shoplifting spree.

Denise Breen-Lawton, prosecuting, said the two women were passengers in a car which was stopped by police in North Road, Ripon, after shop thefts in the city and the stealing of a mobile phone from a farm at nearby Azerley on December 20.

Ivan Lester, presiding, told Dowson she had shown flagrant disregard for the law. ''You have an appalling record with fraud, theft and related matters, and these offences were committed while on licence. If you continue this behaviour on discharge you will have a bleak future.''

He jailed her for eight weeks, to run consecutively with her present sentence, and when she admitted two offences of driving without insurance he banned her from the roads for a year.

Mariga was bailed until May 21, so probation reports can be prepared before she is sentenced.

Updated: 11:00 Wednesday, April 30, 2003