A repeat Carlisle shoplifter caught on camera as she stole clothes and food — including chocolate buttons — from two city centre stories is starting another prison term.
In November last year, police secured a criminal behaviour order against 47-year-old Lavinia Moorhead.
The order meant she was banned from entering premises part of the Carlisle Shopwatch/Cumbria Safer Business Partnership — other than Primark — along with all Heron Foods stores and the English Street Spar.
Any breaches of the order constitute a criminal offence.
In February this year, Moorhead was handed a 28-week prison sentence for further thefts and three breaches of the order.
But late last week, following her release from custody, she committed a number of new crimes.
Diane Jackson, prosecuting, told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court that Moorhead, in the company of a man, was twice seen in the Tesco shop on English Street — at 7.45pm and then 9.55pm on April 14.
CCTV showed her stealing alcohol and, then the second time, a sandwich, nuts and chocolate buttons.
On April 18 Moorhead flouted the order by being inside the M&S food hall. And the same day, she was seen to steal four red T-shirts from a rack at the store’s clothing department before leaving.
In court Moorhead — a woman with 93 previous convictions — admitted three theft charges and twice breaching the order.
Defence lawyer Lauren Heasley, mitigating, said Moorhead’s latest crimes were low level and uncomplicated.
Personal mitigation contained within a background report was also considered by magistrates as they imposed an immediate 32-week jail term.
Moorhead, of no fixed address, refused to stand in the dock as magistrates announced their sentence.
Lead magistrate Nicholas Wilson concluded that her offences had been wilful and persistent.
“There is currently a lack of compliance with community-based sentences,” he also said.
Moorhead’s order remains in force until November 2027.
