A thief who targeted the same shop on multiple occasions and also stole from two supermarkets has been banned from going in them for two years.

Drug user Sophie Clark repeatedly went into the B&M store in Maidstone and pilfered hundreds of pounds worth of goods.

The 32-year-old, who has 28 convictions for 58 offences, also stole food and booze from a Tesco and Co-op store, putting the items in a bag and leaving without paying.

Clark, of Overcliffe, Gravesend, admitted six counts of shoplifting when she appeared in court earlier this year.

She returned to Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on December 23 to be sentenced.

Rajni Prashar, prosecuting, said Clark’s offending started on July 20.

She added: “She went to the Tesco store in Loose Road, Maidstone, and put food and alcohol products into a bag and made no attempt to pay.

“She was confronted by security but managed to leave the store.

“Then later that day at the Co-op in Maidstone she took food items and put them in a bag.

“It’s the same circumstances, she made no attempt to pay.

“She was arrested in July and during interview made no comment.”

The court also heard despite being bailed Clark carried on offending and targeted the same shop in the county town four times, stealing hundreds of pounds worth of goods between September 21 and November 7.

The prosecutor added: “On September 21, she went into the B&M store in Maidstone and put £168 worth of food into a shopping trolley and was seen by a store detective.”

However, magistrates heard she was able to get away with the goods and returned to the same store on September 29 when she swiped another £99.80 worth of goods from inside.

The prosecutor added: “Then on November 4, she went to the same store and stole electrical items worth £80 and made no attempt to pay.

“She then returned on November 7 to the same store and took more electrical items valued at £75 but was apprehended by the store’s security officer and the items were recovered.

“All the thefts were caught on CCTV and she was identified by a police officer and later made admissions in interview.

“She has previous (convictions) for similar offences and the last one was in January 2024.

“She repeatedly targets the same store, but it’s unsophisticated, she just takes the items and leaves.

“She’s still on post-sentence supervision (from her last offences).”

Simon Pettican, defending, said his client was a class A drug user.

He added: “She’s now had a lengthy period free from drugs and can be off drugs. Her mum has cancer.”

The court also heard she was looking healthier than she had ever been and wanted to stay off class A drugs.

Magistrates placed Clark on a 24-month community order which will include a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 20 rehab sessions. She was also fined £40.

She must also to complete a “new me strengths” course which will involve attending 39 sessions.

Clark was also ordered to pay compensation to B&M for the value of the goods she stole.

Compensation was not requested for the Co-op or Tesco stores as the value of what she had stolen was not known.

Clark was also banned from entering the three stores for two years.