A Milford woman who went on a shoplifting spree to fund her drug addiction has been jailed this week.

Thirty-eight-year-old Marion Picton, of Willow End, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court, on Tuesday, to face five charges of theft from shops, and one charge of attempted theft.

The court heard how the defendant entered the Tesco store in Milford Haven on March 18, picked up four bottles of spirits worth £100 and placed them into her bag in her trolley and left without paying. She entered the same store again on March 25 and stole more alcohol valued at £120.

Magistrates were then told by prosecutor Abul Hussain how Ms Picton’s shoplifting spree continued the following month when she entered the Lidle store in Milford on April 3 and stole meat items worth £60.

On April 6 she attempted to steal two LED television sets valued at £258 from the Tesco store in Haverfordwest, and the following day went back into the same store and stole Famous Grouse Whiskey valued at £384.

“Ms Picton then entered the Boots store in Haverfordwest on April 11, and selected a number of items, including fragrances and razor blades, worth £246.55. She was identified from CCTV footage,” explained Mr. Hussain, who told the court that the defendant had a number of convictions on record, predominantly for theft.

Defence solicitor Mark Layton told the court that his client made full and frank admissions in interview. He explained that Ms Picton was made subject of a community order back in January and had been doing well with the help of the probation service, but had suffered something of a relapse with drug issues.

“Today some of these charges before you are for high value shoplifting offences, which I concede cross the custody threshold,” said Mr. Layton.

“Ms Picton has been progressing well with her drug addiction and has been receiving the prescription that she needs, but has had something of a relapse.

“Her heroin addiction has plagued her for years and she steals to fund her drug habit.

“As a final chance I would ask the court to impose a suspended prison sentence, and then any further offending of any type would send her straight to prison,” added Mr. Layton.

Magistrates heard how Ms Picton owed £4,000 in fines outstanding to the court, before handing her a 16-week custodial sentence.

“Your solicitor has done a very good job of defending you, but you’re still committing offences whilst on your prescription, so we don’t feel your situation is working and as a bench we feel you’d be better off in custody,” said chief magistrate David Simpson.

Ms Picton was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £100 and a £150 victim surcharge

She was also ordered to pay compensation of £320 to the Tesco store, £60 to Lidl and £246.55 to Boots.