Woman caught stealing during supervision sentence

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A woman with an "appalling" criminal history has been sent back to jail for stealing while serving a sentence of supervision.

Eden Carol Hobbs, 24, admitted two charges of breaching intensive supervision and one charge of theft.

Wanganui District Court was told yesterday that Hobbs was under supervision after being convicted on two counts of shoplifting and one of possessing cannabis for supply when she failed to report to her probation officer in April and, on May 13, failed to make an alcohol and drug counselling appointment.

The court also heard that on May 25 she stole jewellery and cosmetics worth more than $300 from Farmers in Palmerston North, fleeing from security when confronted.

As the summary of facts was read, Hobbs stood in the dock shaking her head and sighing heavily.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Butler said Hobbs had been sentenced to 18 months' supervision and had done "absolutely nothing" about it, and probation officer Alison Hogan confirmed Hobbs had not reported to them since March.

Mr Butler said a term of two months' imprisonment for the breach was appropriate as Hobbs had a history of breaching community work, and submitted a further one month in prison for the theft.

Judge David Cameron told Hobbs her criminal history was not a good one.

"You are an appalling recidivist dishonesty offender and you've been imprisoned on a number of occasions for shoplifting, and you're also an appalling recidivist in non-compliance of community sentences, for example the breaches of community work."

Judge Cameron cancelled the intensive supervision order and for the breaches sentenced Hobbs to one month imprisonment with a further one month to be served cumulatively for the theft.

Hobbs smiled at the judge and said "thank you" before being led from the dock.