Prolific thief swiped bank card and used it to get a Greggs meal deal
A prolific thief stormed her way into a man’s house at 6am, stole his bank card, and decided to spend the money on Greggs food items.
Jamie-Lee Hitchings, 26, stole the bank card from Michael Pritchard after turning up unannounced at his home in Ystrad, Rhondda, Wales, at 6am on June 1.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how Hitchings made a £4.09 purchase from Costcutter, a £6.25 purchase from Texaco, bought a £3.40 bus ticket from Stagecoach, spent £51.09 at Spar, paid for a £9 bus ticket from Stagecoach, and spent £3.80 at Greggs.
She was arrested the next day, denied theft, and claimed Mr Pritchard told her to use the card for cashback and he would claim the money back.
In mitigation Richard Ace said the amount case was relatively low and his client had been on remand in custody for three and a half months awaiting sentence.
He said Hitchings had a difficult upbringing with violence, which led her to use drugs as a teenager but since the death of her mum in 2021 had been free of substance misuse.
He said she had mental health issues and had been diagnosed with PTSD.
She plans to move to Worcestershire near family after her prison release.
Hitchings pleaded guilty to theft and six counts of fraud. The court heard she had 22 previous convictions including 10 offences of theft, burglary, and shoplifting.
Recorder Richard Kember sentenced Hitchings to two months in prison. The effect of the sentence means she will be released from custody having served a longer period than her sentence on remand.
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