Drug user stole £30 of Ferrero Rocher chocolates

A homeless South Tyneside woman being helped for cocaine abuse has been warned by magistrates she could be dead within a decade unless she turns her life around.

- by Gareth Crickmer

Amanda Liddle, 41, was issued with the cautionary words when she appeared before them to admit two shoplifting offences and possession of the illegal class A drug.

John Lee, chair of the bench, described her criminal record as "terrible" and said her cycle of offending "had to be broken".

After hearing of her revolving door between offence, prison and release, he added: "You need to get a grip and reassess your life. What are you, 41? Unless you change, you'll be dead by 51."