Byker thief back out stealing from shop just days after being given a chance by court

A persistent thief who promised to change after stealing £1,200-worth of clothes and booze from shops was back up to her old tricks just 10 days later.

As reported on Chronicelive at the time, Jodie Denham was given a community order on November 6 this year after she admitted taking the goods from two stores on five different occasions, sometimes on the same day. The 36-year-old, who was also jailed for 10 weeks back in August, said through her solicitor at that court hearing that she promised to stay out of trouble and turn her life around but, just 10 days later, she proved she just couldn't change her spots.

Denham appeared in Newcastle Magistrates' Court in custody this week after she was caught stealing £24-worth of wine from Morrisons on November 16. She also admitted, along with another female, taking £287.99-worth of goods from TK Maxx on November 4, which was two days before she received her community order.

READ MORE: The Northumberland black widow killer who asked vulnerable victim's friend to cut up his body

READ MORE: Walker man caught waving metal pole and baseball bat around on street

The prolific thief, formerly of Denmark Street, in Byker, but now of no fixed abode, also admitted not attending any of her appointments with the Probation Service, which put her in breach of the order. However, after hearing she'd been assaulted by a man, magistrates agreed to give her one final chance and gave her an 18-month community order, six months longer than the last one.

Lesley Burgess, prosecuting, told the court: "The theft offences are straightforward. The one on November 4 was days before the defendant appeared in court for other theft matters and was made subject of a community order.

"On November 16, the defendant entered Morrisons and has taken the items and simply left the store. CCTV captures both offences and the defendant is identified. None of the items were recovered."

John Brown, defending, said: "She was placed in a hostel in Byker and in contact with a particular man, who assaulted her. She contacted the police. When he was released from custody, she left the hostel and has not returned since."

Denham was also ordered to pay £145 compensation to TK Maxx and £24 to Morrisons.