A JUDGE jailed a gang of travelling shoplifters who targeted York - saying the city had "far too many thieves of its own to add to their number".

The four thieves - one of whom was pregnant, while three had no previous convictions - had launched a expedition to McArthur Glen Designer Outlet.

They told York Magistrates' Court they were stealing Christmas presents because they lived on benefits and were short of cash.

Jailing them, district judge Adrian Lower said: “This is what happens to people who come from out of York to steal in York.

“York has far too many thieves of its own to add to their number.”

He said there were plenty of shops closer to their homes to steal from and had they given stolen items as presents, the recipients could have been in trouble for handling stolen goods.

Jessica Lister, prosecuting, said the gang raided seven stores and drove off with 25 items, mostly clothing, worth £1,530, on December 13.

But their activities had been observed, their car’s registration number was passed to police and they were caught at Tadcaster as they headed west along the A64.

All the stolen items were in the car’s boot and were taken back to the stores.

Emma Maughan, 20, Michael Pius Ward, 20, Margaret Ellen Sweeney, 20, and Laurence Ward, 22, all gave Leeds addresses to the court.

But when they were arrested, Maughan and Michael Ward had claimed to be from Coalville, Leicestershire, and Sweeney and Laurence Ward had claimed to be from Bolton in Lancashire.

All four pleaded guilty to seven charges of theft.

Each was jailed for 12 weeks and banned from driving for seven and a half months. The car they used for the trip was confiscated.

Defence solicitor Keith Whitehouse handed in letters of apology for all four.

He said it was an ill-planned expedition because the Designer Outlet south of York was “heavily secured” with CCTV.

Laurence Ward, who had a fare-dodging conviction was the only one with a criminal record and had a neurological condition. Sweeney was eight weeks’ pregnant.

The four would have kept some of the stolen items for themselves, he said.

The stores targeted were: Superdry, where clothing worth £352 was taken; Gap, £184 of clothing; Hugo Boss, where clothing worth £197 was stolen; Tommy Hilfiger, clothing worth £201; Michael Kors, a £179 handbag; Timberland, two pairs of boots worth £100; and LaCoste, clothing worth £315.