A JUDGE has condemned a family of professional shoplifters who stole designer clothes and sold them on the internet.

Judge Sean Morris said Dawn Bainbridge led a “family business” that saw her and her two daughters steal “thousands and thousands” of pounds-worth of clothes from high street stores across the North and sell them online via Facebook.

“Designer Goods North East” took more than £7,000 in online payments in just four months, had detailed sales records and a even a debters’ book and, in a note seized by police, Caitlyn Bainbridge boasted of making £100 a week and dreamed of going it alone.

At Newcastle Crown Court yesterday (Friday, October 17), Judge Morris jailed Dawn Bainbridge, 47, for 30 months and daughter Claire, 21, for 20 months and warned Caitlyn, 19, to expect jail when she is sentenced next month.

Addressing Dawn Bainbridge, he said: “You were the mother and leader of the criminal firm.

“You are the villain of the piece. It’s your fault your daughters are in court. Some mother.”

Turning to Claire, he said she had been led by her mother but she was not stupid, knew the difference between right and wrong and simply thought the normal rules of society didn’t apply to her.

The family stole from stores in Leeds, Bradford, Guiseley, York, Knaresborough, Harrogate, Stockton, Bishop Auckland, Durham, Gateshead and Edinburgh.

Their operation was uncovered by an investigator for high street chain Next, who bought clothes and proved them to have been stolen.

When police raided the family home, on The Crescent, West Rainton, County Durham, in March, they recovered goods stolen from Next, House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer and elsewhere worth nearly £7,000.

But still the thieving continued. Police seized a further £900-worth of stolen goods in June.

All three Bainbridges admitted conspiracy to steal.

David Callan, for Dawn – who also admitted theft charges, said she had wanted to give her children more material security but realised the consequences of her actions.

Jamie Adams, for Claire, said his client was at a crossroads in her life and wanted to try to keep on the “straight and narrow”.

The probation service will prepare a report on Caitlyn, now of Bay Court, Ushaw Moor, before she is sentenced in mid-November.

Judge Morris told Dawn: “People seem to think shoplifting doesn’t matter. Well it does.

“The outlay shops have to provide: security machines, security guards, cameras; all because people like you can’t keep their grubby hands off other people’s property.

“The vast majority of this country, many of whom are in far worse situations than you, hold their heads up high and live honest lives. You obviously regard yourself as far too clever to be like them.

“You now have time to think about the effects of your offences on your family.”