A thief breached four separate suspended sentences by committing a "trolley dash" offence at a supermarket and driving offences.
Charlotte Brown carried out shop theft offences and was caught driving whilst disqualified after filling up her car at a petrol station and driving off without paying. The 40-year-old also filled up a trolley full of goods at an Asda and made off without paying. She then returned the next day and attempted to steal over £800 worth of goods but was stopped by security.
Brown, of Cedar Terrace, Houghton-le-Spring, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Monday via link from HMP Low Newton to be sentenced for making off without paying, theft, and driving whilst disqualified. She had pleaded guilty to the offences.
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Michael Cahill, prosecuting, said the first offences were committed on July 22 this year at a Morrisons. He said: "The defendant filled up her vehicle with £40 of fuel before driving away without any attempt at paying. She was identified from CCTV and was disqualified from driving at the time."
The next month, on August 26, Brown went to an Asda in Stanley and filled up a trolley with "numerous goods" including food, electricals and clothing. Mr Cahill said: "CCTV showed she left the store without paying for the goods which valued £650." Brown then returned to the store the next day and "scanned" over £800 worth of goods. However, security recognised her and apprehended her.
The court was told Brown had 31 previous convictions for 94 offences, many involving theft. The offences also put her in breach of four separate suspended sentences she had previously received. Mr Cahill said she was given a suspended sentence in March this year for driving whilst disqualified and was given another in April for shop thefts. In July, she was then given a 16 month prison sentence suspended for two years for 19 shop thefts as well as another suspended sentence for theft in May. Mr Cahill added that some of the theft offences Brown committed were for "trolley dash" crimes similar to the one carried out in Asda.
In mitigation, the court was told Brown's strongest defence was her guilty pleas and that she had been a victim of controlling and coercive behaviour. The court heard that all the goods she stole from Asda were recovered and she was described as being a "bright lady".
Judge Jo Kidd jailed Brown for 23 months and banned her from driving for 20 months.
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