A heroin addict caught shoplifting twice in York city centre in the run-up to Christmas while on a court order has received a conditional discharge.

Emma Jane Kasiuk, 29, was on bail for the first theft when she committed the second theft, and on a drug rehabilitation order as a punishment for a long list of previous offences, York magistrates heard.

Her solicitor Craig Robertson said she had had a "very terrible year in 2014" in which she had committed nearly 30 offences and had a "number of issues". Before then, she only had one conviction.

Kasiuk, of Bramham Avenue, Chapelfields, pleaded guilty to stealing four candles worth £99 from Clinton Cards, Coney Street, on December 5 and stealing a necklace worth £5.99 from Claire's Accessories on December 18.

Magistrates gave her a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered the community order including the drug rehabilitation programme to continue.

They heard that though she was continuing to take heroin, she had reduced the amount she was taking and she was attending counselling sessions to help her kick her habit.