PROLIFIC criminal Claire Wilson has been given a chance to escape the "revolving doors" cycle of repeatedly ending up in prison shortly after being released.
Grimsby magistrates decided to spare her yet another prison sentence – and offered her a "glimmer of hope" that she could change her "entrenched" pattern of repeat offending.
Wilson, 39, of Redbourne Road, Grimsby, admitted stealing children's clothes, valued at £20.50, from Next on May 20.
Probation officer Graham Marshall told the court that Wilson had been trapped in a "revolving doors" cycle of leaving prison, suffering money and benefit problems, stealing from shops because she had no cash and ending up back in custody.
"The pattern repeats itself time after time after time," said Mr Marshall. "It happens an awful lot."
Wilson had been a heroin user for 15 to 20 years but tested negative when she recently left prison – which was a "significant step forward".
She had been prescribed heroin-substitute methadone.
"She is aware she needs to change," said Mr Marshall.
Wilson told the court: "It's just the same thing all the time. I am in and out of prison. It never helps me.
"I have got no money and I am back to square one."
She has previously had an antisocial behaviour order and has a string of convictions for theft.
Unemployed Wilson, who had been in custody again, was given a one-year supervision order, including 16 women's sessions, and was ordered to pay a Government-imposed £60 victims' surcharge.
Presiding magistrate Ray Dumbleton said it was a "stark choice" between jailing Wilson again or giving her a "glimmer of hope".
