A thief was caught in the act using a saw and pliers to cut her way into a shop's compound to steal garden furniture.
Sarah Ayre and a man were captured on CCTV damaging a fence to gain entry to the outdoor area of Home Bargains, in Walker. The police were called and officers found the pair crouched in a corner of the compound, a court heard.
The prolific crook, of Denmark Street, in Byker, had twice been due before magistrates to face charges of going equipped for burglary and criminal damage but failed to show on both occasions and a warrant was issued for her arrest. The 46-year-old was finally detained this week and appeared in the dock in custody, having previously pleaded guilty to both offences, to learn her fate.
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Niamh Reading, prosecuting at Newcastle Magistrates' Court, said Ayre and her co-accused turned up outside Home Bargains at around 3am on March 28 this year. Miss Reading continued: "They entered the rear yard by cutting a whole in the fence using wire snippers and a hand saw. They were captured on CCTV entering the rear yeard.
"They make their way to the rear of the yard to a locked compound that stores garden furniture. The gate is locked with a heavy duty lock. They are seen on CCTV sitting on the floor and, where they were sat, damage was later found in the compound fence. It was snipped and several wires damaged."
The court heard that the pair were being watched on CCTV by security, who phoned the police. Officers arrived at the scene and found Ayre, who has 47 theft offences on her record, and the male crouching in a corner. Pliers, a saw and a torch were also discovered.
Alanna Wesencraft, defending, said Ayre had been in an emotional state at the time and had intended to sell any items she'd managed to steal to fund her partner's drug habit. Ayre was given a 12-month community order, with an eight-week curfew between 9pm and 6am, and must pay £100 compensation.
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