A serial shoplifter who was caught with 28 bars of stolen chocolate, three packets of chicken and some Dairylea cheese has been jailed. 

Amy Kelly, 34, had stolen the products from Sainsbury’s just moments before she was arrested by police in Darlington town centre on Tuesday (September 26).

Officers searched her bags and found the items, worth £58 in total.

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She had also stolen two Lenor Scent Boosters and cleaning products from Savers, on Skinnergate, worth £44.

The Northern Echo: Amy KellyAmy Kelly (Image: DURHAM POLICE)

In court, she was charged with three counts of theft from a shop and remanded in custody to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (September 27).

Kelly, of Tom Raine Court, Darlington, pleaded guilty to the offences and was jailed for 14 weeks.

The Northern Echo: The haul that Amy Kelly stole from Sainsbury'sThe haul that Amy Kelly stole from Sainsbury's (Image: DURHAM POLICE)

Inspector Matt Plumb, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Amy Kelly is a well-known thief who continues to offend despite repeated help and support offered to her by our Offender Management Unit and other agencies to change her behaviour.

“We will not tolerate people like her who commit these types of offences. Retail crime is far from being a victimless crime; it hurts businesses that must grapple with higher costs and lost stock, resulting in an increase in prices for us all.

“As a force, we are continuing to tackle this type of criminality by carrying out proactive patrols, pursuing offenders and working with our partners and local businesses to try and prevent offenders from committing these offences in the first place.”