A TEENAGE shoplifter who was told she was at a 'crossroads' in her life vowed never to return after she appeared in court.

Adelaide Rose O'Kane was hauled before magistrates after she stole bottles of vodka from the Booths supermarket in Kendal.

The 18-year-old was said to have entered the store with her boyfriend and stole nearly £30 worth of items from the Wainwright's Yard store.

This comprised two mini Absolute raspberry vodka and one small Absolute Lime bottle.

Prosecutor George Shelley said it happened on October 22.

She was seen to have placed the bottles of alcohol in her coat before walking past the tills to leave the store without paying, he said.

Magistrates heard she had five previous convictions in the youth court for 12 offences but was appearing in an adult court for the first time.

In mitigation, Karen Templeton said the defendant, who had grown up in care, was committed to turning her life around.

She said: "She's very ambitious and seems like an intelligent girl.

"She grew up in care but she says that is not an excuse.

"She has had the good sense to get rid of this boyfriend."

O'Kane, of Queen Street in Morecambe, was ordered to pay £28.50 in compensation to Booths.

Sentencing her, chair of the bench Charles Crewdson said: "Things get more serious when you appear in the adult court.

"You are at a crossroads in your life and we don't want to see you back here.

"We are going to give the benefit as much as we can.

"Don't come back here."

As she left, she told the magistrates: "I will not come back. Never."