A mother-of-seven, who narrowly avoided jail, has been warned she risks losing her children if her offending continues.

Jody Mayne was sentenced to six months suspended for two years after admitting handling property from burglary.

The 38-year-old, who has two sets of twins, was arrested alongside drug addict Craig Deane.

He had reportedly smashed open the door of a flat in Sheerness High Street and left it in “a complete mess” after stealing property.

“You should be ashamed of yourself of the example you are setting your children. There will come a time when you will lose those children if you are not careful” - Judge Martin Joy

When arrested, the pair said they were homeless and had been looking for somewhere to stay.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the victim was out when his flat was broken into on May 22.

He returned in the late afternoon to discover damage around the lock and a safe and computer items stolen.

Police checked CCTV and identified Mayne and Deane, who has 42 convictions for 113 offences as a career burglar.

The 40-year-old, of no fixed address, was jailed for almost two-and-a-half years.

Judge Martin Joy told Mayne, of North Street, Milton Regis, Sittingbourne: “You should be ashamed of yourself of the example you are setting your children.

“There will come a time when you will lose those children if you are not careful.”

Imposing a tagged curfew on her between 7pm and 7am for six months, he added: “You have the most important job in the world. You are a mother of young children.

“You have had every help going. You have committed a spree of shoplifting offences. Whenever you make that choice you are saying ‘I don’t care about my children’.”

The judge said in imposing a suspended sentence Mayne, whose children are aged between three and 18, would decide whether or not she went to prison.

“This is going to be your last chance,” he said.

The pair were also sentenced for shoplifting offences by magistrates.

Deane was jailed for 70 days and Mayne’s supervision order was continued.

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