Black Country shoplifter walks free from court
A woman who stole CD and DVDs from two Black Country stores while subject to a suspended prison sentence has been given a 12-month supervision order.
Michelle Willetts, aged 41, of Reservoir Road, Rowley Regis, had pleaded guilty to two charges of shoplifting at an earlier hearing.
She had also admitted production of cannabis, carrying a knife in a public place, and failing to comply with a drug testing order.
Willetts was made the subject of a one-month curfew which will not allow her to leave her home between 7pm and 7am.
Judge Michael Dudley said she had been in custody since May 21, and it would be inappropriate to sentence her to a further period of custody.
However, he said the 12-month suspended sentence imposed by Warley Magistrates Court last year should remain in place.
Miss Joanne Barker, prosecuting, said just before 11am on April 10 Willetts went to Asda in Darlaston with a man, and they were seen concealing items in their shopping basket.
"They went to the check-out and paid for a low-value item, and on leaving the store they were stopped by security staff," she said.
"A quantity of DVDs and CDs worth around £80 were found in a foil-lined bag."
Miss Barker said after the arrest, police searched her home and found two cannabis plants, hydroponics equipment, and fertiliser.
She tested positive for cocaine and was ordered to attend a drugs test on April 22.
However, she failed to attend, and was arrested on May 8.
"She said she had a family bereavement and had simply forgot," said Miss Barker.
On May 20, while still on bail for the drugs offences, Willetts and her male accomplice were caught stealing DVDs from a branch of Sainsbury's, said Miss Barker.
During the search that followed, a kitchen knife was found in her handbag, and Willetts explained that she had borrowed it from her mother and forgotten that it was in there.
Mr Gurdeep Garcha said apart form one conviction in 1990, Willetts had kept out of trouble until 2010. The three convictions she had picked up since then, which included possessing cannabis with intent to supply, and growing cannabis for personal use, stemmed from her drug habit and that of her ex-boyfriend, who had a more serious drug problem.
"Following her remand in custody in May, she has had the chance to reflect on her life.
"She has weaned herself of her cannabis habit, and more importantly she has weaned herself off her relationship."
