A 39-YEAR-OLD woman who helped in stealing £1,214 worth of coats and gloves from Marks and Spencer has avoided a prison sentence – despite the offence ‘passing the custody threshold’.

Joanne Higham, from Skelmersdale, pleaded guilty to the theft at Halton Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The court heard she entered the store at Gemini Retail Park with another woman, who was also ‘dealt with’ last week.

Prosecution barrister Alison Warburton said: “They could be seen leaving with shopping trolleys and coats and got in a Clio car before a man drove away.

“Officers found several coats and a foil-lined bag – the items have now been recovered.

“The man drove to Birchwood and tried to sell the coats after knocking on doors.”

The defence team told the court Higham previously used recreational drugs ‘from time to time’.

Magistrates were told the defendant became ‘heavily addicted’ after being introduced to heroin by her partner, which was said to have made her life ‘spiral out of control’.

The magistrates informed Higham they would not be sending her to prison but admitted ‘the offence is so serious it passes the custody threshold’.

She was sentenced to six weeks in custody, suspended for one year, and ordered to pay £345 to the court.

A deprivation order has also been made on the car, which does not belong to Higham.