A SERIAL shoplifter has been handed a lifeline in the community after nicking items including animal ornaments, place mats and candle holders from a Greenock store.

Elizabeth McClure admitted a charge of theft having tried to steal more than £150 worth of items from a town store in 2023.

The 52-year-old, who has previous convictions for similar offences, loaded a trolley with ornaments and food and was stopped by staff when she tried to walk out of The Range on West Shaw Street on January 26 last year without paying.

An earlier hearing at the town's sheriff court was told that McClure browsed the aisles and filled bags with items including a lamp, a candle, a cat ornament, a silver panther ornament, candle holders, place mats and a quantity of food stuffs - with a total value of £158.

However, she only paid for two items at the till.

She tried to leave the shop, but was caught by workers on her way out and escorted to the manager's office.

McClure was later cautioned and charged by police and the items were fully recovered.

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Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher had asked for a structured deferred sentence to be imposed, despite the offence passing the custody threshold, to allow his client to access community-based support.

Mr Gallagher previously told the court: "At the time there were addiction issues and a shortage of funds.

"This was a fairly clumsy attempt to obtain funds in order to fund the habit.

"She has a record and there is evidence of difficulties over the years, but at present she seems to be doing reasonably well.

"She is now drug free and her presentation is much improved. She has been engaging with drug services."

Sheriff James Varney told McClure at a sentencing hearing: “You have one opportunity of rehabilitation.

“I don’t see any benefit of a punitive element, given your background.

“If you don’t comply with this order, I will send you to custody.”

McClure will spend 12 months under supervision by the criminal justice social work department as an alternative to jail.