A prolific shoplifter has been jailed for 14 months for 20 offences.

Sade Griffiths, 23, from Merrivale, Benfleet, was charged with nine shoplifting offences that occurred over the last two months.

The officer dealing with this case worked an extended shift to secure sentencing at court the following day.

She was charged with nine shop lifting offences between January and February and a further 11 in December.

She received 14 months imprisonment for the nine offences and 12 months imprisonment for the offences committed in 2017. These will run concurrently. As a result of this she has also breached her suspended sentence order.

Investigating officer, Pc Jacob, said: “The arrest and prosecution of a prolific shop lifter who has been constantly targeting stores in the Castle Point district area is a great result.

“This sends out a clear message that there is no such thing as a 'victimless' crime and those who continue to offend will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”