A MILFORD Haven woman, 46, has confessed to a string of thefts from local shops.

Marion Picton, of Hawthorn Path, appearing before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Thursday, June 18, pleaded guilty to the following:

Failing to attend or remain for the duration of an initial assessment at Allied House, Haverfordwest, following a test for cocaine and opiates to establish whether she was dependent upon or had a propensity to misuse a Class A drug on March 19.

Stealing meat belonging to Food Warehouse (Iceland) at Milford Haven on April 23.

Stealing food items, to the value of £60, belonging to Victoria Filling Station at Milford Haven on May 29.

Stealing groceries, to the value of £14, belonging to Home Bargains at Milford Haven and food to the value of £12 from Victoria Filling Station on June 7.

Stealing £14 of groceries from Home Bargains on June 8.

Stealing food items from Victoria Filling Station on June 9.

Stealing food items, to the value of £32.50, belonging to the Food Warehouse on June 16.

Picton was given a suspended sentence order with an imprisonment period of eight weeks, and a suspended period of 18 months. The offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified. The reasons for this were repeat offending and that they committed whilst subject to a court order.

The custodial sentence was suspended because of a realistic prospect of rehabilitation - motivated to overcome her addiction. Rehabilitation activity requires Picton to comply with any instructions of the responsible officer to attend appointments, or to participate in any activity as required by the responsible officer up to a maximum of 15 days. Compensation totalled £132.50 - the value of items stolen (where known).

Court costs were £85. There was no separate penalty for missing the drug assessment.