A WOMAN described as a “prolific” shoplifter was jailed for more than two months after admitting a spree of thefts. Christine McKnight, of The Marrams, Hemsby, was jailed for nine weeks after carrying out a series of thefts in April from stores in Great Yarmouth and North Walsham.

A WOMAN described as a “prolific” shoplifter was jailed for more than two months after admitting a spree of thefts.

Christine McKnight, of The Marrams, Hemsby, was jailed for nine weeks after carrying out a series of thefts in April from stores in Great Yarmouth and North Walsham.

McKnight, 33, pleaded guilty to three counts of shoplifting and one count of fraud.

On Friday, Yarmouth Magistrates heard that on April 4, McKnight and an accomplice went into the B&Q store and stole a De Walt saw worth around £600.

Prosecuting, Elizabeth Houghton, said: “She went into the store with Joseph Adams, who she regularly shoplifts with, and filled the trolley up with a saw. They then leave and staff asked to see a receipt. She (McKnight) gets right in the woman's face and says she has to get her wallet from her father who is outside, and then does not return.”

The court heard that on April 20, McKnight stole £93-worth of cheese and bacon from McColls in Yarmouth and on April 13 stole £64.53 worth of meat from Sainsbury's in North Walsham.

Ms Houghton also explained how after stealing an £18 pair of trousers from Sainsbury's in North Walsham, “prolific offender” McKnight tried to get a refund for them.

She was arrested by police after officers examined CCTV footage from all three stores.

Rob New, in mitigation, said the offences pre-dated McKnight's last custodial sentence and that she had addressed her “significant” heroin use which had led her to commit offences.

He said: “Had she been using drugs at the same level she would have been before this court much more swiftly than today.”

He told the court his client realised magistrates were “losing patience” with her.

Taking three similar offences into consideration, magistrates sentenced McKnight to a total of 62 days imprisonment for the four offences.