A WREXHAM mum has been jailed for a series of thefts and for breaching a suspended sentence order.

Marika Hutchinson, of Rhosddu Road, appeared via video-link from HMP Styal before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, January 9.

She had previously pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft from a shop, three counts of theft from a vehicle, three counts of vehicle interference and three counts of fraud during a hearing at Llandudno Magistrates Court on December 14, 2023.

Hutchinson, 28, also breached a two-year suspended sentence (for drugs supply) imposed on her in May 2023 when these offences were committed, the court heard.

Amy Edwards, prosecuting, said the shoplifting offending took place between October and November of 2023.

Ms Edwards explained that Hutchinson had stolen from shops including Tesco, Next, Boots and Co-op.

Items such as clothing, Lego and gift sets were stolen during the seven separate incidents, to which the total value was £290.42.

The defendant also interfered with/stole items from vehicles scattered around the Wrexham area between November and December of that year.

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At 8pm on November 28, she was caught on CCTV footage looking into the car (Ford Mondeo) of Naomi Roberts on Lorne Street in Wrexham, after the complainant had viewed the footage back after noticing that items had been 'moved around' inside the unlocked vehicle.

Three days later, at around 10.50pm on November 30, Hutchinson returned to the same vehicle and the car alarm was activated before anything could be stolen.

In between that, she was also seen to be interfering with a VW Golf on the same street.

On December 4, at Grange Close, Hutchinson stole a Monzo bank card from the vehicle of Lucy Wright.

She then attempted to use this bank card on three occasions, the prosecution said.

However, her attempts to do so at Spar, Aldi and Sainsbury's stores all failed as Ms Wright had already frozen her card before Hutchinson could use it. 

On that same day, she stole three pouches of tobacco, a Superdry coat, two torches and loose change (to the value of £250) from the vehicle of Marc Davies at Llys David Lord.

She also stole two scratch cards, CAT work boots and a lighter of sentimental value from the vehicle of Luke Twigg, which was on the same street.

All the offending took place alongside Hutchinson's former partner, the court was told.

The Leader: PIC: Marika Hutchinson appeared before Mold Crown Court on Tuesday, January 9.

The pair were arrested on December 8 after the stolen items were found at their address.

They both said that they had stolen the items 'to help pay for drugs'.

Alun Williams, defending, said that Hutchinson was someone with a history of 'substance misuse' and 'mental health' issues, having been diagnosed with psychosis.

The mother-of-two had also been a victim of domestic abuse and was deemed to be homeless at the time of the offending, Mr Williams said.

Judge Rhys Rowlands said that Hutchinson may have been 'under the influence' of her partner - who also had previous convictions for theft - to commit the offences 'to some degree'.

The judge sentenced Hutchinson to four months for the most significant shop thefts (£28 gift set at Boots) and six months for the theft of the items from Mr Davies' car, to run concurrently.

She faced no separate penalties for the further offences, but the judge passed down a further 12 months for breaching the suspended sentence, giving Hutchinson an overall sentence of 22 months in prison.