Yahoo News She was a nurse who helped people and a mother-of-three... then she became a career criminal
A former NHS auxiliary nurse who became a career criminal after she developed a severe drug habit following the birth of her third child was jailed yesterday.
Mother-of-three Gemma Fletcher, 35, had been a respected healthcare assistant working in the A&E unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital, but in 2019 she suffered a back injury whilst in labour. Initially, Fletcher was treated with powerful prescription-only painkillers but became addicted to the tablets and began using heroin.
Over the following five years she clocked up 32 offences of house burglary, theft and stealing from cars - all of which she carried out to feed her habit. In a 1am raid, in which she was armed with a brick, Fletcher was caught by a householder rummaging through coats after walking into their hallway via an unlocked door.
During the confrontation she pleaded, 'I have just come from the hospital and I need money for drugs', before being detained in a citizen's arrest.
Later, when questioned by police about the raid she said: ''It's just what I have to do to get by". A bag that was found in her possession contained stolen items from other properties, including a disabled parking badge.
She was released on bail, but within hours was stealing again from cars. Fletcher, from Atherton, was arrested again last February after raiding the hotel room of a woman who was fleeing domestic violence and stole medication she needed for a stomach tumour.
Inquiries revealed she was on licence at the time having been released early from another prison stretch for breaking into motor vehicles.
At Bolton Crown Court, Fletcher appeared via video link from Styal Women's Prison in Cheshire. Fletcher was jailed for another 20 months after she admitted burglary. A judge said she posed a risk to the public and rejected pleas to let her go free.
Earlier, the court heard how Fletcher had worked in the A&E department at the Royal Bolton Hospital and the orthopaedic unit at Salford Royal Hospital, led a good lifestyle and was said to be a 'respected' figure.
But defence counsel Martin Pizzey said: ''She says she in a relationship for many, many years but putting it politely which was her description, he was not a nice man.
''She had gone to police over certain incidents but she did not have the confidence to pursue them and her life ended up in a mess. Then whilst giving birth to her third child she encountered a back problem to do with pushing and pulling and she suffered difficulties.
''Against the background of her difficulties due to the relationship was in and her health issues, work suffered. The back injury resulted in her taking co-co-codamol and she described taking so much of it she was addicted, and she was taking far too tablets on a given day.
''Her doctor prescribed her methadone for her pain management and habit has since spiralled out of control. She does not recognise the person she had now become."
In 2019, Fletcher was given a police caution for dishonesty then in August 2020 was conditionally discharged after stealing a pair of work boots and two bank cards. The following year was jailed for 26 weeks for burglary, unlawful possession a bread knife and stealing a camera, impact drill, chop saw and two batteries from a Ford Transit van.
Then, in April 2022, she was jailed for another 28 days for theft and criminal damage after stealing two bank cards and £200 cash as well as trashing a Vauxhall Crossland SUV.
Last October she jailed for another 32 weeks after she pleaded to 12 counts of vehicle interference, seven thefts from vehicles, and one of fraud by false representation following a crime spree in the Gadbury Fold area of Atherton.
She was freed earlier this year, but just days later at 6.55pm on February 22, she targeted another victim whilst staying at the Mercure Hotel in Wigan as part of her parole. Craig MacGregor, prosecuting, said: "Michelle Sherratt was living at the hotel as she had been fleeing difficulties in her own life. All her possessions were in that room and she considered that room her only safe place.
"On the day in questions she had gone out to play bingo in the hotel restaurant but returned at 7.15pm to see the defendant leaving her room carrying a black bag over her shoulder. It was clear to Miss Sherratt, the defendant was under the influence as her eyes looked fixated and she ran directly into the room opposite.
"Miss Sherratt went to reception to report the defendant had been in her room and at that stage she was actually more concerned about the defendant that she was about her own room. However when she did go back to her room she noticed her mobile phone, and purse containing bank cards and £20 cash were missing as well as her medication which included morphine.
"Officers attended and arrested the defendant whilst a male handed back a bank card he said he found on the floor in the corridor. He later returned the mobile phone which he said he found on his window sill.
"The defendant received treatment for the misuse of drugs and later gave no comment in police interview. The previous convictions clearly show someone using drugs.
In a statement, Miss Sherratt said: "I feel so upset and annoyed that this has happened, I believed Gemma was nice towards me and I feel that I have just been taken advantage of. I'm trying to start my life over and deal with a significant amount of health issues. I suffer from a tumour to my stomach and suffer so much pain so I need my medication."
Fletcher showed no emotion as she was sent back to jail. Judge Jon Close told her: "Your victim was vulnerable, she was fleeing domestic abuse and had twice been moved to temporary accommodation.
"She was living in that hotel room with all her worldly possessions and you took an opportunity to steal from her. She felt taken advantage of and was in pain. She needed the medication you took.
"Your convictions are troubling as they are increasing. You clearly have had a traumatic history which has in turn bled into a chaotic lifestyle plagued by drug issues and behaviour that places yourself at considerable risk but has also spreads misery and damage to those around you.
"You say you have hopes and aspirations for change. I hope that is true - but the reality is your risk at the moment in unmanageable in the community."
