Three prolific shoplifters who have repeatedly struck at the same village store have each now been jailed.
In separate hearings Joanna Scott, Catherine Parkin and Zara Hawkins have all been put behind bars after targeting Easington Colliery Co-op several times in recent months.
The trio repeatedly stole items such as chocolate, meat and coffee, running into hundreds of pounds of losses for the store.
Officers from Durham Police's Easington Neighbourhood Policing Team have been arresting and putting them all before the courts on a repeat basis.
Jailed Easington Colliery Co-op thieves, from left, Catherine Park, Zara Hawkins and Joanna Scott
(Image: Durham Constabulary)
Scott, 46, of Noble Street, Easington Colliery, pleaded guilty to three counts of shop theft when she appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on August 10 and was sentenced to eight weeks in prison.
Jailed shoplifter Joanna Scott
(Image: Durham Constabulary)
Parkin, 38, of Sabin Terrace, Stanley, pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft and seven breaches of a restraining order meant to prevent her entering the store at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday August 13).
She was sentenced to eight months in prison.
Jailed shoplifter Joanna Parkin
(Image: Durham Constabulary)
Meanwhile, Hawkins, 40, of Hawthorn Street, Easington Colliery, pleaded guilty to shop theft and breaching her Criminal Behaviour Order at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on July 25.
She was given a 12-week prison sentence.
Jailed shoplifter Zara Hawkins
(Image: Durham Constabulary)
Fellow shoplifter Aaron Kay, who admitted eight counts of shop theft from the same store when he appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on July 30, could also be facing a stint behind bars.
The 36-year-old, of Hambledon Place, Peterlee, was remanded in custody and is expected to be sentenced at the Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on August 19.
Applications for restraining orders for all four will also be made at the hearing.
Neighbourhood inspector, Mark Garfoot, said: “Shop theft is not a victimless crime.
"We see the damage it does to our communities when businesses are repeatedly targeted by petty criminals like these."
Insp Garfoot added: “We are glad they have been put behind bars and will continue to relentlessly arrest and put before the courts, anyone who breaks the law on our patch.”