One of Barnsley's most notorious and prolific shoplifters has been sent behind bars for 46 weeks for going stealing 24 hours after being given a last chance.

Patricia Siddall, 46, had been given a suspended prison sentence and a stern warning at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

But the following day she was caught shoplifting, the court was told.

Philip Howard, defending, said drug addict Siddall was approached by two people to whom she owed £20.

He said she was on her way to an appointment with a probation officer when the two people told her where to go and what to steal to settle the debt.

Mr Howard said: "There were certain threats made by these two people about what they would go to her mother who is in her 80s. The people also mentioned what they would say about Ms Siddall to her mother.

"I have told her that if this happens again, she must go to the police. Old loyalties must die.

"Ms Siddall is angry with herself because she is in danger of going to jail for a long time."

Mr Howard added that security staff who caught Siddall knew her by sight and probably knew her name.

Chantel Lowery Green, prosecuting, said Siddall, of Shroggs Head Close, Darfield stole toiletries worth £51 from Wilkinson the day after being in court.

At the earlier hearing, District Judge John Foster was doubtful about whether Siddall would stay on the straight and narrow.

Mr Foster said: "You cannot or will not stop this chain of offending which has gone on since time immemorial.

"There may be a light on the horizon. You seem to have impressed the Probation Service and drugs agencies over the last couple of months.

"But you are a drug addict. You will have to work hard before you can say you have rid yourself of your drug problem.

"It is no use pretending that your situation is mended, that you are all right. Your offences, mainly thefts from shops, are dishonest and wrong.

"This sort of leeway cannot be given again. If you commit any offences in the next 18 months, you will go to prison."

The hearing heard Siddall had been on heroin since she was 11 when she was introduced to it at school.

But she had been on a methadone programme over the last couple of months and was 'clean' of heroin and cocaine for the first time in years.

Siddall has committed more than 80 shop thefts during her criminal career. She has served six jail sentences since 2011.