Prison for woman who stole from friends

A WOMAN who stole a vacuum cleaner and mobile phone from known victims has been jailed for 34 weeks and fined £680.

Jodie Johnson (25) of Acacia Avenue, Maltby, admitted two counts of theft from a dwelling at Rotherham Magistrates’ Court on Friday (April 17).

The court heard that on April 10, Johnson visited the home of a friend’s mother – a 79-year-old woman.

Johnson knocked on the door and entered the home of the victim who was in bed at the time.

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said: “While the victim’s son was upstairs, Johnson was seen leaving the property with a £300 vacuum cleaner.”

Five days later Johnson visited another friend to ask for help unblocking her phone.

He agreed and Johnson stayed at the address for a couple of hours chatting to him as he attempted to fix her phone.

The spokeswoman added: “When the man said that he could not help, Johnson picked up her friend’s £100 phone and ran out of the property.

“Officers arrested Johnson on Manor Road in Maltby the following day.”

Investigating officer sergeant Pete Longthorne said: “We believe that Johnson was desperate for cash to fund her drug addiction and she chose her victims because of their vulnerability.

“South Yorkshire Police will continue to take a firm stance on all individuals breaking the law and we hope that this case serves as a warning to those considering criminal behaviour.”