A Whitehorse woman has been sent to federal prison for a string of crimes including a robbery where two employees were sprayed with bear spray.

Janine Firth was sentenced to three years behind bars last month in Yukon territorial court.

In her decision released this week, Judge Karen Ruddy said she considered the robbery, where the two employees were attacked, the most serious of the crimes.

In September 2012, Firth was seen at the local Walmart store, and walked out of the store with items she hadn't paid for.

Staff originally could not find her, but she was later spotted after she entered the store a second time and attempted to take more items, Ruddy's decision says.

Employees attempted to stop Firth but she pulled out bear spray, spraying one staff member on the hair and face and a second on the chest.

She was chased by staff, but picked up by an SUV.

Whitehorse RCMP went to her home and arrested her.

Seven months earlier, Firth and another woman had been at a restaurant which they had left without paying – in a taxi they had stolen, the decision says.

The RCMP went to her home and ultimately discovered her hiding under a pile of blankets.

When the blankets were removed, she again pulled out bear spray and sprayed it at the officers.

They shut the door as the spray was being deployed to minimize the spread.

After being arrested, Firth became agitated, attempting to strangle herself with the seatbelt of the police car and eventually kicking at officers and having to be carried to cells.

Firth, 30, also admitted to three other thefts dating back to 2011.

Those included taking money from the Eagle Plains Lodge after a break and enter in July of that year.

In her decision, Ruddy pointed out that Firth has a "very troubled background” with "significant obstacles she needs to overcome.”

She also struggles with self-medication issues.

Still, the judge said Firth appears to have the desire to improve her life and address her issues.

Ruddy also recommended that while in the federal system, Firth receive an appropriate psychiatric assessment.

With credit for the time she has already served in custody, there are about 30 months left on the sentence.