Woman who committed a theft within days of moving to Preston sent to jail

The court heard Helen Gray, 30, had fled to Preston from Liverpool last week to escape an abusive relationship, and had been staying with a friend on Fox Street in the city.

But she was caught stealing goods from Primark on Fishergate on Wednesday.

She later told police she was "asked" by two men to put the goods in her bag and added: "I did it as I'm stupid - I do what anyone tells me to do."

Prosecuting, Miss McKee said: ""The security reported to police there were two suspicious males stood outside of Primark, along with the defendant, who had been asked to put items into her bag.

"The defendant had walked out without making any attempt to pay. When police arrived neither of the men were in attendance.

"She would not say who they ere but stated they lived at Fox Street."

The court heard she had 11 theft offences on her record, the last one on January 8.

Defending, Steve Scott said she had had problems with alcohol for 20 years.

He added: " Unfortunately she has had a very poor choice in her male partners because recently she's been the subject of some significant domestic violence, and has bruises and an injury to her hand.

"As a result she moved here about a week ago. She came here homeless and has befriended somebody who has been putting her up at an address on Fox Street.

"She wasn't the prime mover in this incident - there were two men with her who make their escape and leave her to carry the cam for the whole thing."

Jailing her, the chairman of the bench told her people had been trying to help her during previous court orders, but added: " You're not taking it on board."