A WOMAN who stole more than £1,000 worth of items from Marks and Spencer stores across Dorset has avoided an immediate prison term.

Jessica Jade Beswick pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from M&S, one count of theft from Superdrug and breach of a suspended sentence order.

A hearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court on August 24 heard that Beswick, 30 and of Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, stole £246.99 worth of alcohol from M&S in High Street, Christchurch, on March 22, while on March 20 she took £200 of goods from the same store.

On March 21, she took food, drink and alcohol to the value of £360 without paying from the chain’s store in Lower Blandford Road, Poole.

Beswick targeted the Poole store again on March 28, taking approximately £280 of food and alcohol.

Back in January, the defendant stole a candle to the value of £20 from Superdrug at Castlepoint.

Magistrates handed Beswick a prison sentence totalling 16 weeks, suspended for two years.

She was ordered to pay £20 compensation to Superdrug and £420 compensation to M&S, along with a £50 fine for breaching the existing suspended sentence.