A SERIAL thief who stole after her carer's benefit was stopped after the death of her mother has been jailed.

Suzanne Mathews admitted breaching a suspended sentence when she pleaded guilty to one charge of theft from Poundland in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, on January 21.

Paula Anderson, prosecuting, said that the 31-year-old, of Addison Street, Coundon Grange, stole £30 worth of toiletries.

She was identified by a member of staff and when interviewed, told police she stole the toiletries to pay for drugs after her carer’s benefit was stopped following her mother’s death in December.

However, Andrew Clinton, mitigating, said jailing her for breaching her suspended sentence would be “unjust”.

He said she stole the goods after three weeks without her carer’s allowance and planned to sell the items to pay for electricity.

He also told the court how Mathews has a “long-standing history of heroin” and her mother’s death had affected her.

District Judge, Andrew Meachin, said he was concerned that the accounts of what she told police in interview did not add up and that he thought the drugs explanation was the “honest answer”.

He said: “I am sure you know what your record is. You have committed this offence yet again in breach of yet another suspended sentence order and I cannot find any reason why it’s unjust not to activate it.”

Mathews’ six week suspended sentence was activated and she was given a further eight weeks in prison for the theft.

She was also ordered to pay £30 compensation to Poundland.