Hebburn woman who was freed early from prison caught stealing from two South Shields shops

Katie Dickinson, 28, of Railway Street, Hebburn, is starting a fresh four-week jail term for her latest crimes.

She stole £101 of vapes, nicotine patches and other goods from Heron Foods’ branch in South Shields marketplace on Wednesday, March 12.

Two days later, Dickinson made off with £25 of beef, bread and other goods from Morrison’s in Dean Road, South Shields.

She committed the crimes while on licence, having been released from a term of imprisonment for a theft offence and while owing £8,900 to the courts from past offending.

Prosecutor Sara Kemp said: “These are relatively straight forward matters. On March 12, she was seen by staff concealing a bag under her jacket.

“At Morrison’s, on that occasion she was confronted by staff but was able to leave the store.

“She was released from a custodial sentence for similar matters. The offences are somewhat aggravated by her previous convictions.”

Dickinson pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a shop.

She has 26 previous convictions from 53 offences, 32 of which are for theft or kindred crimes.

David Forrester, defending, said Dickinson had been given a place to live via an agency after her prison release but had had to leave due to the behaviour of associates.

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Mr Forrester also said Dickinson was being recalled to prison for breaching the terms of her licence, irrespective of any jail term.

He added: “The offences were committed while on licence, which runs until June 13.

“It’s vulnerability, it’s heroin. The Probation Service is not in a position to offer help at the moment.”

District Judge Paul Currer jailed Dickinson for four weeks for each theft offence, to run concurrently, and ordered her to pay a £154 victim surcharge.

He told her: “You’ve committed these offences pursuant of drug addiction. The only sentence I can pass is a term of imprisonment.”

Judge Currer did not order Dickinson to pay compensation to the retailers.

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