A FORMER Wrexham woman now living in the West Country was arrested for shoplifting on a visit back to the town and was found to have a lock knife in her bag.

Caroline Jane Reilly, 46, was jailed when she appeared at North East Wales Magistrates Court.

Reilly, of Church Drive in Bristol, had previous convictions for 160 offences but in recent times had got her life in order and was attending Bristol University, the Mold court was told.

However she had returned to heroin and cocaine use.

Solicitor Stephen Edwards said it was sad to see her back in court after the progress she had made.

The visit back to Wrexham sadly did not turn out as it should have done, he said.

His client was a talented woodcarver and used the knife for her arts and crafts but she appreciated that she had no lawful excuse for possessing it at the time of her arrest.

Reilly was jailed for 26 weeks and she was ordered to pay a £115 surcharge.

District judge Gwyn Jones, who ordered that the knife be destroyed, said she had been in possession of a lock knife while under the influence of drugs.

She had been involved in high value shoplifting, stealing perfumes and purses which she could sell.

It was so serious that only immediate custody could be justified, he said.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson said Reilly was monitored on CCTV at Debenhams in Wrexham on Tuesday as she stole two bottles of perfumes and seven purses to the value of £327.

At one stage she went into the changing rooms to try on a dress but then left without paying for the stolen items.

She admitted what she had done, telling officers: "I have done it."

The knife was found in her handbag.

Mr Edwards said it was sad to see her back in court because she had made a determined attempt to change her life and get her life back on track.

She came from a well-respected family and her father was a high-powered businessman.

But she had struggled to combat a terrible drug affliction.

Seventeen years ago she moved from Wrexham to Bristol, she had three children aged 26, 14 and nine and she had regular contact with them.

She was a single woman, living in rented accommodation and she had been doing well with the assistance of drugs agencies.

Reilly was an intelligent lady, had gone to university recently, and she was a talented woodcarver selling her wares at markets and fairs.

But while visiting a friend in Wrexham she ended up committing the offences.

Her intention was to return to Bristol and continue the good progress she had made, he said.