A prolific shoplifter has been jailed and is prevented from entering a store with a bag that is not clear, on her release from prison.

Shelley Earnshaw was sentenced to more than three months after stealing over £250 of supermarket goods.

Between Wednesday, July 31 and Friday, August 16, she targeted Morrisons in Milton Regis, Sittingbourne, five times.

Earnshaw stole laundry, toiletry items and meat products with a total value of £264.

Around the same time, she went to the Co-op in Aspen Drive, Sheerness and stole items on two separate occasions – placing them in her bag and leaving without attempting to pay.

Earnshaw, of College Road, Sittingbourne was arrested and charged with a total of seven thefts and pleaded guilty at Medway Magistrates’ Court.

On Monday (September 23), the 31-year-old was sentenced to 100 days imprisonment.

A criminal behaviour order was applied which prevents her from entering several specific shops in Swale.

It requires her not to act in a way that causes distress to staff or the public and forbids her from entering a store with a bag unless it is clear, or a small clutch handbag.

Sergeant Dan Bartlett said: “We are determined to deter prolific thieves from targeting local stores as this can have a very real financial impact on these businesses and cause particular distress to shop workers.

“Beat officers will investigate these incidents and where an offender is identified, ensure they are detained.

“Where we can show a pattern of persistent offending we will also ask a court to impose a criminal behaviour order.

“This restricts an offender's conduct on their release from prison and allows us to swiftly bring them back before the court if they breach the relevant conditions.”