A pregnant woman who dealt drugs and shoplifted to fund her heroin addiction has been jailed.

Sherrie-Ann Hunt, 41, of Folkestone, became hooked on illegal substances after being exploited by a former partner in her 20s.

Now, she has been locked up for 18 months after turning to petty crime to feed her habit.

She targeted Lidl, Wilko, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer in her home town, stealing meat joints, cosmetics, household items and beauty products to sell on the black market between February and September.

Appearing at Canterbury Crown Court last week, Hunt, who left the care system aged 17, handed the judge a note describing her struggles throughout her life.

Her most recent criminality placed her in breach of a suspended sentence order, handed down after she sold a wrap of cocaine to an undercover detective in 2019.

Prosecutor Oliver Kirk said: “The defendant entered various shops, stole items worth in the region of £60 to £100, and left without paying.

“All matters were admitted at the earliest opportunity.”

On the 2019 offence, Mr Kirk added an undercover officer going by the name of ‘Gary’ purchased a single wrap from Hunt, after she turned to “low level street supply”.

During the hearing, she appeared looking “visibly healthy” in the dock, having been held on remand at HMP Bronzefield for two months, while working to battle her addiction problems, her lawyer said.

Representing Hunt, Phil Rowley said she became addicted to drugs in her 20s, after a relationship with a controlling partner who exploited her.

Mr Rowley added Hunt, who has 14 convictions for 34 offences, was two months pregnant, with the prospect of motherhood providing a “galvanising force” for her to clean up her act.

“She expresses through me genuine remorse for her conduct,” he continued.

The judge, Recorder Simon Stirling told a visibly distressed Hunt he sympathised with her plight.

“I am obviously alive to the great difficulties you have had since leaving care aged 17," he said.

"I do take into account the circumstances under which this offending took place again, having been free and getting back involved in drug use.

“It is a great shame I have to send you to custody. You have been given many opportunities to prove your worth to the probation service.

“I hope it works out for you, all right?”

“Yes,” Hunt, of Cheriton Road, replied.

The judge activated 14 months of Hunt’s previous suspended sentence, adding a further four months custody for the thefts.