A former offender has said that no punishment would have stopped her from shoplifting while she was addicted to drugs. Jade Smith, 35, from Skelton in Cleveland, stated she spent all her money on cocaine and then stole food and household essentials because she had "nothing to live on" until her next payment.
Ms Smith, who has previous convictions and experienced homelessness, is now five to six weeks clean at a rehabilitation facility in Preston. She is attempting to rebuild relationships with her children and family.
She expressed regret for her actions, saying: "I do now think about the shop workers and how they felt. I'd like to apologise. I wish I'd thought at the time how other people would be feeling and not just myself. It was quite selfish really." Ms Smith attributed her offending to drug use, which she said began as a teenager.
Shoplifting offences in the Cleveland Police area saw an increase of nearly 15% in the last financial year, which was the largest percentage increase in the country. Cleveland Police stated they are committed to tackling the issue.