A WOMAN received a suspended jail sentence after stealing from a shop in Playing Place before driving off under the influence of alcohol.

Kathryn Marie Stone, aged 40, of Elizabeth Close, Threemilestone, admitted committing the offences on August 5.

She stole alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco and groceries to the value of £287.67 and cash to the value of £5495.05, before driving on Holywell Road in the village while over the drink drive limit.

The reason for custody was given by magistrates: "The defendant played leading role. There was breach of trust as the defendant had been employed previously by the shop which she burgled.

"The defendant went back a second time and remembered the codes fro entry and disengaging the alarm.

"Careless in the manner in which she searched the shop for items to steal - there was a degree of ransacking."

She committed the offence while under the influence of alcohol and must now comply with a supervision order for 12 months.

Her 12-week sentence has been suspended for 12 months.

She pleaded not guilty to drink driving, having registered 91mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath whilst driving a Ford Transit. The legal limit being 35mcgs.

Stone was also banned from driving for six months and ordered to pay £660 costs and £115 victim surcharge.