Woman behind shoplifting crimewave given one final chance to stay out of jailJennifer O'Brien, who previously vowed to turn her life around, was arrested after she failed to show for her sentencing hearing last weekView Image Jennifer O'Brien pictured at Newcastle Magistrates' Court. (Image: ChronicleLive)A woman responsible for a one-person shoplifting crimewave across the North East has been given a final chance to stay out of prison. The mum was detained less than 24 hours later and brought before a court in custody, where she was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. She also assaulted some shop workers, including in Primark and Waitrose, when she was caught in the act and confronted. District Judge Paul Currer previously decided to give O'Brien a chance to prove she could stay out of trouble by deferring her sentence until last week.

Source: Daily Mirror February 18, 2026 13:36 UTC