WISBECH: Single mum sent back to jail after stolen goods found in her home

SINGLE mum Carla Ridgewell was sent back to jail this week, after magistrates heard how a stash of stolen goods worth hundreds of pounds was found in her home, less than a month after she was released from jail. Various creams, make up, clothes and a hair

SINGLE mum Carla Ridgewell was sent back to jail this week, after magistrates heard how a stash of stolen goods worth hundreds of pounds was found in her home, less than a month after she was released from jail.

Various creams, make up, clothes and a hairdryer were still packed in carrier bags in her bathroom when police searched the property.

Ridgewell - a heroin abuser - had stolen the goods to get money to buy her daughter a birthday present, her solicitor Andrew Spence told Fenland magistrates.

"Clearly this was misguided and not a justification for what she did," he said. "The thefts were unsophisticated; it did not take long for her to be identified as the culprit."

Ridgewell, 27 of West Parade, Wisbech, admitted stealing creams, chocolate and make up worth £250.48 from Superdrug in Wisbech on April 12.

She also admitted stealing a £9.99 hairdryer and two tops and a pair of shorts from New look, worth £44, on the same date.

For the probation service, Marie Ludlum told the court that Ridgewell had almost completed a supervision order imposed on February last year, and had carried out 150 hours of unpaid work.

"But she is still offending, there is nothing more the probation service can do for her," she said.

Mitigating, Andrew Spence said Ridgewell had misused heroin for the last three years, and this had led to regular offending.

After being released from jail on March 17, she had financial problems, until her benefit was reinstated.

"Her daughter's birthday was fast approaching and she committed these offences, planning to sell the items to buy a present," he said.

Ridgewell was jailed for eight weeks.