A prolific shoplifter has avoided jail after threatening off-duty police officers with a glass bottle as they tried to stop her stealing.
Over a seven month period, persistent pest Elaine Donald walked into stores on 15 separate occasions and helped herself to thousands of pounds worth of goods, including alcohol, laundry detergent and dog leads. A court heard that the 28-year-old targeted the Co-op, Tesco, Wilkos and Pets and Home, all in Gateshead, during her stealing spree between July 2022 and February this year.
On one occasion, Donald was caught in the act by off-duty police officers but, rather than hold her hands up and apologise, she turned aggressive. Newcastle Crown Court was told that the serial crook grabbed a bottle of booze, raised it above her head and threatened the constables before they managed to disarm her.
