A DRUG addict thief who stole more than £1,000 in a shoplifting spree and burgled a house while the homeowner was still inside has been jailed.

Joanne Railton, previously of Newport Street, Worcester, had already been convicted of seven thefts including some from Waitrose in Edith Walk, Malvern when she appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Monday. The total value of the thefts was placed by the prosecution at £1,115.

Appearing via videolink from HMP Eastwood Park, the 36-year-old also fell to be sentenced for failing to surrender after she failed to attend her trial at Hereford Crown Court. She also failed to comply with the terms of a community order by not reporting as instructed, failing to provide evidence to cover her absence within five working days. On August 1 last year Railton, who was recognised by security staff, entered the Malvern supermarket with a night bag and left via the cafe. She had taken £163.44 of goods including bottles of Russian vodka.

Railton returned on August 6, this time stealing £735 worth of razors. The defendant returned the following day and stole more razors worth £70, leaving the supermarket by the cafe door.

She also admitted further shoplifting offences at Tesco in Kidderminster where she stole £30 worth of goods on December 18. Railton also stole make-up worth £200 from the town’s M&S store on December 27 last year, returning to the same store on January 8 this year with a Bag for Life, stealing 10 unicorn pattern onesies.

Amiee Parkes, prosecuting, said Railton answered no comment to police in interview.

On February 1 this year the defendant entered Morrisons in Kidderminster where she attempted to steal clothing, making her way to the self-service checkouts but had no money to pay.

Miss Parkes said security staff who stopped her could see inside her bag the Nutmeg clothing brand. Miss Parkes said: “The defendant pushed the security guard and another member of staff.”

She made full and frank admissions to stealing clothing worth £44. Railton has 45 previous convictions for 121 offences, 64 which were described as ‘theft and kindred offences’.

The defendant was also in breach of a 24 month community order imposed on September 24 last year. This was for theft of women’s pyjamas from Poundland and for burglary.

The burglary happened in Kidderminster on August 28 last year when the homeowner was still inside. The homeowner was alerted by a doorbell app on his mobile phone to the presence of the defendant. He reported that three handbags had been stolen from the hallway including cash, bank cards, jewellery and and iPhone 5. He received four notifications on his phone beginning at 1.47am.

Railton failed to attend any of her probation appointments, Miss Parkes told the court.

Jodie Smith, defending, said her client, a mother-of-two, had a significant drug habit. Ms Smith said: “She appreciates burglary alone with its aggravating features is serious enough for a custodial sentence to follow.”

She added: "She was in the grip of drugs and unable to sort herself out."

Recorder Edward Coke sentenced her to 12 months in prison.