A FLINTSHIRE woman who went on an offending spree over the course of several months must pay out significant compensation for the pain and inconvenience she has caused.

Michelle Jones, of Deiniols Road in Mancot, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon for sentence.

The 43-year-old had been convicted at previous hearings of numerous offences.

They included: 

  • Theft from shop x4
  • Attempted theft from shop
  • Theft from person
  • Fraud by false representation x 5
  • Possession of cocaine
  • Assault emergency worker x 3
  • Fail to surrender to police/court bail
  • Going equipped for theft
  • Assault by beating

The first batch of offences happened between May 6 and Christmas Eve last year.

Rhian Jackson said the theft from shop offences spoke for themselves, but on a number of occasions she travelled to the locations.

The theft from person offence related to a woman named Sarah Davies.

She was working at B&M in Mold and had placed her work jacket on a trolley as she carried out her duties.

In the pocket were her vapes, mobile phone and Santander bank card.

The jacket went missing, and CCTV revealed Jones had entered the store and taken it - first trying to hide it up her top and then stashing it in a bag before leaving.

Ms Davies informed her bank about the stolen card, but she was told it had already been used five times; Once at Applegreen Garage in Mold for £60.79 worth of goods and twice at Tesco in Mold for transactions of £46.85 and £58.

Two more transactions were declined; one at Tesco again for £74 and one at McDonald's for £13.01.

Ms Davies was reimbursed by Santander, but Ms Jackson said that left Santander at a loss.

The three assault emergency worker offences all happened on Christmas Eve, when Jones was arrested and taken to custody - where she was found to be in possession of cocaine.

She was verbally abusive throughout the arrest and transport to custody, screaming: "I'm a crackhead - just you wait."

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She was resistant and extremely strong despite having a "very slight build", which officers believed was due to the drugs she had taken.

Throughout her time at the custody facility, she assaulted three officers by kicking, spitting and scratching.

She went on to steal confectionary from the Spar in Caergwrle on New Year's day this year, and then failed to go to a follow up assessment she was required to attend.

On March 3 this year, Mold Iceland staff member Katie Williams became aware of Jones in the store.

She was seen putting a bottle of whiskey in a bag for life and when challenged she took exception.

Staff tried to block her exit but Jones, who was drunk and "foaming at the mouth", pushed against Ms Jones and later swung her arm out, making contact with her neck - constituting the assault by beating.

The alcohol was recovered when police arrived.

Ms Jackson said the defendant had 19 previous convictions for 42 offences.

A probation officer, told the court: "She is under no illusion of the situation she finds herself in today and has expressed remorse for her offences.

"She blames her offending on the fact she was in a relationship with another drug user at the time.

"The intention was to sell items for the drug habit.

"She has a record, but her offending does appear to have slowed down.

"She has three children."

Gary Harvey, defending, told the court: "I've known this lady for some time, and it's been a catastrophic year for her.

"It doesn't make easy listening, hearing the prosecution outline the facts and she cringes at that.

"But there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation; she has improved in the last month or two.

"Sadly she has an issue with drugs and until she resolves that, she's going to be at risk.

"Hopefully she can see the light; she's certainly looking a lot better now."

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District Judge Gwyn Jones told the defendant: "Shoplifting is now endemic; no shop, big or small, can manage to accommodate the amount of losses they're incurring and if those shops are no longer viable, they will close.

"That puts the employment of those staff members in jeopardy and deprives the community of a valuable resource. 

"You'll have played a small part in doing that."

The Judge said it was clear the defendant didn't care what pain she caused to the victims of her offending - she "wanted to get monies at whatever cost."

However the Judge said there was a "glimmer of hope" and he felt there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

As such, an overall sentence of 52 weeks imprisonment was imposed - but it was suspended for a year.

Jones must undertake 15 rehabilitation activity days and a drug rehabilitation requirement for six months.

She must also pay compensation of £250, £250 and £150 to the three police officers she assaulted, £200 compensation to Katie Williams for the assault, as well as £300 compensation to Ms Davies for the theft of her phone and compensation to the value of the fraud she committed with her bank card.