A COCAINE-SNORTING Worcester shoplifter who tried to steal more than £1,200 from supermarkets made an obscene gesture as she walked free.

Jade Hughes of Carlisle Road, Ronkswood, made the two-fingered salute at the reporter as Worcester magistrates gave her yet another chance to turn her life around despite her complete failure to engage with probation or drug rehabilitation services. In total she stole, or attempted to steal, £1,237 worth of goods in just three months.

The 29-year-old mum, who is on benefits and claims she is living 'on the breadline' because of the bedroom tax, said she could not keep in contact with relevant support agencies because she ‘didn’t know how to download WhatsApp’ onto her mobile phone.

She admitted stealing a Henry Hoover to the value of £99 from Tesco in St Peter’s, Worcester, on January 8 this year. The cocaine-user also attempted to steal £323 of groceries from Lidl in Droitwich on November 11 last year and attempting to steal £795 worth of groceries, again from the St Peter’s Tesco, on New Year’s Eve last year. She also stole Lindt chocolate worth £20 from the Co-Op in Lichfield Avenue, Ronkswood, Worcester on February 10 this year.

The thief already owed the court £1,836 in fines when she appeared before magistrates again yesterday. This sum is being deducted from her benefits at just £20 per week.

Melanie Winterflood, prosecuting, said the defendant told police in interview she had stolen the chocolate to ‘give them away as presents’.

Ms Winterflood said Hughes was detained following the raid at Lidl just after 7pm on November 6 last year - £323 of goods were recovered. It was an even larger attempted theft at Worcester Tesco - £795 worth of goods – at 5.45pm on New Year’s Eve last year.

“The defendant – Miss Hughes – ran off” said Ms Winterflood.

Hughes managed to make off with a £99 Henry Hoover from Tesco in St Peter’s at 8.15pm on January 8 last year.

Hughes admitted all offences in police interview, ‘saying she was struggling with a number of addictions and wanted to get herself back under some probation support’.

Judith Kenney, defending, said Hughes admitted the offences at the earliest opportunity to police and at court and felt that if she had support she could address her addictions.

Mrs Kenney said Hughes received a text message from Willowdene (drug rehabilitation services) to remind her she had an assessment via WhatsApp but she responded saying 'I can't download WhatsApp' and 'can I rearrange for tomorrow?' when she planned to use her cousin's phone.

"Willowdene believe she did not engage - but that isn't in accordance with my instructions" said Mrs Kenney. She explained that her client was on Universal Credit of £348 per month and had rent arrears of £1,700. That money is now paid directly to Platform Housing.

"She has two spare bedrooms and as a consequence has to pay £30 per month bedroom tax. She has to pay that herself. It's not paid by the state. She is really on the breadline" said Mrs Kenney who described her client as leading a 'chaotic lifestyle'.

The solicitor said Hughes was only left with £57 per week to survive on. "That isn't £10 per day" said Miss Kenney.

Miss Kenney added: "She has also got a cocaine habit. She funds that by selling some of that food. She is also suffering with mental health problems."

Hughes was described as 'desperate to get off this' (cocaine) and 'very lonely, living on her own in a big empty house'.

In her words, relayed through Mrs Kenney, Hughes said: "I spiral into depression and that's when I use drugs."

However, a probation officer said Hughes had been offered support 'numerous times' and had never let her know she could not download WhatsApp.

When called the defendant did not answer her phone, she said.

"She isn't suitable at this moment in time for Willowdene because of her lack of engagement or motivation" she said. "She buried her head in the sand and did nothing."

Judith Hulland, the chairman of the bench, said Hughes had put them 'in a difficult position as we're very reluctant to send you to custody because that isn't going to assist you as far as your drug problem is concerned'.

Mrs Hulland said she had heard from Mrs Kenney that Hughes was keen to address her drug problem but 'not keen enough' to contact the probation officer when she could not download WhatsApp.

"You did not show that initiative. You just buried your head in the sand and thought it would sort itself out" she said.

However, the magistrates decided to give Hughes one 'last ditch attempt' to address her issues.

Mrs Hulland added: "If you return to these courts with further offences you are going to find that custody is a very real prospect - because there's nothing left to do."

They imposed a 12 month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Hughes was also excluded from Tesco in St Peter's.

Hughes is already subject to a nationwide ban from Waitrose.

No order was made for costs. Compensation of £20 for the stolen chocolate was awarded to Worcester Co-Op. All the other goods were recovered.

Mrs Hulland warned Hughes: "We have got our backs against the wall now."