A prolific shoplifter who stole make-up, meat and children's toys during a three-week crime spree has been jailed for 16 months.

Lena Brown stole from shops across Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate during the course of a few weeks between March and April.

She had already been subject to a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order put in place in 2019, which banned her from entering any shop in Thanet involved in the Thanet Shop Safe Scheme.

But shortly before 3pm on March 20, Brown entered Savers in Margate where she grabbed three handfuls of cosmetics.

She was challenged by staff and responded by turning out her trouser pockets, which were empty.

After she had left, CCTV footage confirmed the items had been hidden elsewhere about her person.

During the afternoon of April 1, she was seen selecting toiletries from Wilko at Westwood Cross and concealing them in a bag.

When challenged by a member of the public, Brown abandoned the stolen items, worth £90.

Seven days later she returned to the store and stole children’s toys and laundry detergent, concealing them in a bag before walking out.

Staff realised what she had done when later reviewing CCTV footage.

Then on April 10, Brown visited a Co-op in Minster and stole around £80 of goods including lamb steaks, chicken fillets, cheese, juice and laundry pods.

Again, she concealed them into a shopping bag before walking out of the store. A customer flagged up the theft to staff and the matter was reported to police.

"Theft is never acceptable and I hope the retailers affected by her crimes will be reassured to know she is behind bars."

Officers from Thanet’s Victim Based Crime Team identified Brown as the offender and she was arrested and charged for the four thefts and for breaching her Criminal Behaviour Order.

The 32-year-old, of no fixed address, admitted the offences at court and appeared at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday when she was sentenced to a total of 16 months in prison.

Senior investigating officer, Sergeant Mike Franklin of the Thanet Victim Based Crime Team, said: "Criminal Behaviour Orders are given to those who have shown themselves to be persistent in nuisance or criminal behaviour.

"Each order will include restrictions specifically aimed at stopping that person’s behaviour.

"Lena Brown has repeatedly stolen from shops throughout Thanet and I am pleased the judge recognised the severity of her breaching the order and imposed a custodial sentence.

"Theft is never acceptable and I hope the retailers affected by her crimes will be reassured to know she is behind bars."

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