Newcastle woman who burgled friend caught after the victim saw her wearing her clothes

A woman who burgled her friend after she was assaulted was caught after being spotted by the victim wearing her clothes.

The victim had become friends with Sarah Chilton around a week before the break-in and on May 3 this year the two women went out for a drink with some of Chilton's friends. The woman had left her home in Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, locked and secure before going out.

At some point during the evening, the victim was assaulted by people who she believed may have been Chilton's friends although she wasn't sure about that or whether Chilton was present. She was dragged to the ground and kicked to the head. After being attacked and injured, she realised her house keys were missing.

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After reporting the matter to police, officers were taking her home when they saw Chilton wearing her coat and trainers. She gave her the coat back and said she would get another pair of shoes and return the trainers.

When the victim got home, her door was unlocked and a large amount of property, worth up to £3,000, was missing, including jewellery, a pair of Nike trainers, a French Connection jacket and £200 cash. The trainers Chilton had been seen wearing were also missing.

When Chilton returned, she was arrested on suspicion of burglary. Officers went to her home and found a number of items stolen in the raid although the cash was not found.

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Chilton, 33, of Lowbiggin, Newbiggin Hall, who has 12 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft. The court heard others were possibly involved. Chilton was sentenced to 14 months suspended for 18 months with a six month alcohol treatment requirement and nine month mental health requirement.

Judge Tim Gittins told her: "Fortunately the police and she happened across you wearing her clothing, so it became immediately apparent, because you had the gall to put her clothing on straight away, that you were one of the persons involved."

Kate Barnes, defending, said: "There are various adverse experiences she suffered as a child and more recently as an adult during an abusive relationship. Those things underpin the reliance she has on alcohol or drugs but she does not wish those things to be advanced as an excuse.

"She readily accepts she behaved appallingly towards a lady who was a friend and she wishes to express through me her apologies. There are reasons to be optimistic about the prospect of rehabilitation. She has no previous for acquisitive crime."