A PROLIFIC shoplifter has appeared in court for stealing alcohol from two Huddersfield shops.

Julie Harrison, 38, appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to two counts of theft.

The court sitting at Huddersfield yesterday heard how Harrison, of Richmond Flats, Huddersfield, had 31 previous convictions, covering 48 offences.

The latest charges relate to the theft of alcohol from Marks & Spencer in New Street, Huddersfield, on January 6 and Asda supermarket in Carr Pitt Road on January 18.

Prosecutor Paul Ramsay told the court: “A security guard in the Marks & Spencer store saw Harrison acting suspiciously then place three bottles in her shoulder bag.

“She left via the King Street exit without payment.”

The court heard how the defendant stole spirits valued at £46.67 and was stopped in the street a short distance from the store.

She fully co-operated with staff and was subsequently arrested.

She admitted in interview she had stolen the alcohol with a view to selling them.

The second offence occurred on January 18, at around 2.10pm when the defendant and a man, who was unnamed in court, stole two bottles of brandy and a bottle of Barcardi valued at £46.41.

Again the defendant was stopped by a security guard and was arrested.

Defending Harrison, Bob Carr told the court that while he admitted his client’s record was ‘dire’, she had not committed any offences of dishonesty between January 2010 and last month, when prior to that she had been appearing on a monthly basis.

Malcolm Turner, chairman of the magistrates, told Harrison: “I am going to go through with the probation service recommendation which is a nine-month supervision order and an alcohol treatment requirement for six months.

“You know what you are going to have to do, you don’t want to go to prison do you?”