'Thrill-seeking' criminal with 168 offences could die in prison

A criminal with 168 offences to her name who is suffering from terminal cancer has been told by a judge she could die in prison.

Dawn Edmonds, 39, of Wellington Street, admitted five offences of assault and 10 shoplifting charges at Grimsby Crown Court.

In total she has 45 convictions for 168 offences, including 21 for assault and 80 for theft.

After the court heard Edmonds had terminal cancer, judge Michael Fanning told her she "may die in prison” as he jailed her for 18 months.

In one of her sprees, Edmonds – whose actions were described as “thrill-seeking” – stole nearly £1,000 worth of clothing and also knocked a stroke victim to the ground, snatching his wallet.

In his victim impact statement the man said he fears going out in case he sees her again.

She also spat in a security guard's face while wearing pyjama bottoms and shouted that she had COVID.

Edmonds also admitted stealing from a branch of Co-op in Grimsby on three consecutive days in May last year, including £278 of beauty products on one day and £88 of meat another day.

CCTV footage identified her and she was arrested.

That offence put her in breach of a 12-week suspended prison sentence imposed in September 2019.

Other incidents included stealing coffee and alcohol from branches of Asda and Co-op, including one occasion when she threw a glass jar at an assistant before threatening eyewitnesses by telling them she would stab them with a needle.

In May this year she stole £224 worth of household products from a Co-op in Holton-le-Clay before returning the next day and stealing £350 of goods.

In July, she and an accomplice also stole nearly £1,000 of clothing from The Factory Shop in Mablethorpe.

Judge Fanning said Edmonds displayed "an attitude of 'don't care’" as he jailed her for 18 months.

He told her: "I hope your health continues. It may be you will die in prison – I have factored that in.”

Edmonds will serve at least half of the sentence in prison before being considered for release.

Watch: Who are 'Insulate Britain'?