Worthing shoplifter who told staff she had Covid-19 jailed
She told them she 'had a needle' and 'would use it'
A prolific thief from Worthing has been jailed for shoplifting - after telling shop staff she had been infected with Covid-19.
29-year-old Kirsten Hocking took items such as perfume, alcohol and pet food from shops across in Worthing during a period from November to January.
At Boots in Montague Street last Tuesday (January 12th), she threatened shop staff by saying she was infected with Covid-19 and that she "had a needle" and "would use it".
Hocking had already been issued with a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order in July last year, which prohibited her from entering the shops she stole from.
She was also found to be in breach of her five year CBO which was served in July and prohibited Hocking from entering the shops she stole from.
The total loss from her shoplifting is estimated to be ÂŁ326.29.
Hocking, of Lyndhurst Road, appeared at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (January 13th) to face charges for five counts of theft, five counts of breaching her CBO, two counts of causing intentional harrassment, alarm or distress and one count of attempted theft.
She pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 26 weeks' imprisonment.
PC Isobel Wimbleton of Sussex Police said:
"This conviction follows over a year's worth of work by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and we are pleased the court has recognised the impact of her offending by imposing the maximum possible sentence.
"Hocking has caused considerable loss, frustration and distress to shops in the Worthing area and we hope she reflects on her behaviour.
"We have worked tirelessly taking Hocking through the anti-social behaviour crime and policing process where she had numerous opportunities to stop offending but she has continued to do so.
"Adur, Worthing and Horsham NPT work in partnership to tackle anti-social behaviour and are committed to tackling repeat offenders and keeping the area safe."