Pregnant Byker thief targeted three Newcastle stores 24 times in six months
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA pregnant thief blighted three Newcastle stores a total of 24 times six months.
Joanna Gilbert stole goods, including designer bags, clothes, aftershaves, food and washing products, worth a total of £824.34, from TK Maxx, in Byker, Sainsbury's Local, in Heaton, and Savers, in Wallsend. A court heard that the 35-year-old also stole a rucksack and cereal from the back of an Asda delivery van before punching the driver when he confronted her.
Gilbert, of Denmark Street, in Byker, was arrested and pleaded guilty to eight counts of shop theft, one of theft from a motor vehicle and one of assault by beating during a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court. She also asked for a further 16 counts of shop theft to be taken into consideration.
Claire Armstrong, prosecuting, said Gilbert first targeted Savers on March 19 this year and helped herself to £50-worth of fragrances. On May 6, the crook then stole from the Asda deliver van.
Miss Armstrong added: "At 12.18pm, the defendant approached the van on Gordon Road, in Byker, while it was doing a food delivery. She tried the door. It isn't locked and she opens the door slightly then looks around to see where the driver is.
"She goes into the van and takes a black rucksack, which belongs to the driver. She walks away but is confronted by the driver. He got his rucksack back. The defendant then made her way to the back of the van where the shopping is stored. She began to take items from there.
"When challenged, she punched the driver to the side of the face with enough force for his glasses to fall from his face." The court heard that Gilbert then targeted Sainsbury's, Savers and TK Maxx a further 23 times by September.
In a statement, the Asda deliver driver said: "I want to change my job as a result. There was no reason for this female to assault me or to try and steal my bag."
Alanna Wesencraft, defending, said, since she'd given birth, Gilbert had stayed out of trouble. The solicitor added: "She's got PTSD, which led to substance misuse. She's got a background of mental health difficulties.
"When the thefts occurred, she was homeless and pregnant and her mental health had deteriorated." Gilbert was given an 18-month community order and must pay the shops a total of £824.34 compensation, as well as a further £50 compensation to the delivery driver.
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community