Jail spell for serial shoplifter

Louise Porter committed one theft just two days after magistrates gave her a suspended jail sentence for the same.

The 45-year-old, of Meadowhall Road, Blackburn, was caged by Rotherham magistrates last week after stealing clothes, bags and cosmetics from high street stores.

On January 16, Porter stole two coats worth £180 from River Island.

Another raid, on January 20, bagged her £1,002-worth of cosmetics from a branch of Lloyds Pharmacy.

The next day she stole another three coats worth £285 from River Island.

On March 23, magistrates passed a 16-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, for those crimes.

That term was activated when Porter appeared again on June 14, admitting further shoplifting.

Just two days after her last court appearance, on March 25, Porter took four handbags worth £399 from TK Maxx in Brampton.

On March 29, she stole cans of tuna worth £42 from a Co-operative Food shop in Rawmarsh.

On April 4, Porter stole candles worth £300 from an Asda Living store.

And on June 7 she took jackets of an unknown value from Marks and Spencers in Parkgate.

Magistrates activated the earlier suspended sentence last week, adding a further 16 weeks' jail for the more recent offences.

They cited Porter's criminal past and flouting of the suspended sentence as aggravating factors.

Porter was ordered to pay a victims' surcharge of £115, but no compensation order was made.