Drug addict stole jewellery and goods worth £5k from sister's home
A drug addict, who repaid the kindness of her sister by stealing jewellery and other property worth up to £5,500 from the woman’s home, has been spared jail.
Codie Duffy was not welcome at the address in Valley View, Brownhills, but knew Tara was out because she was looking after the defendant’s children and had taken them to London for the day on January 13, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The 27-year-old defendant had also been given clothes and had shoes bought for her by her sister, revealed Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting.
Duffy got into the house through an unlocked door and was confronted by her nephew who followed her around the house until she claimed she wanted to go to the toilet.
When the coast was clear she headed for her sister’s bedroom and snatched jewellery, some of which was solid gold, continued the prosecutor.
Tara came home to discover she had been burgled and knew who was to blame.
Police arrested Duffy who took the haul to buy drugs.
Mr David Swinnerton, representing the defendant, said the fact she was in the throes of an addiction prevented her from returning the empathy felt by her sister.
But he disclosed she had made the most of her opportunities since being held in custody and was now a changed person.
Duffy from Dingle Road, Brownhills, pleaded guilty to burglary and was given a two year prison sentence suspended for two years, on the understanding she attended rehabilitation courses and completed 80 hours of unpaid work for the community.
