A VIOLENT thief who targeted shops across Herefordshire during a two-month-long crime spree has been given a community order.

Jessica Hardy, also spelled in court documents as Hardey, stole alcohol, food and toiletries from shops in Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Leominster, Hereford Magistrates' Court heard.

On March 23, she shoplifted confectionary from Spar in Ross-on-Wye. This began a campaign of thefts, with Hardy going on to steal cider, wine, Smirnoff ice, gin, mixers, energy drinks, food, a pregnancy test and toiletries from Aldi, Co-Op, Asda and Superdrug shops around the county over the next two months, said Thomas Wickstead, prosecuting.

Hardy was arrested, but assaulted a police officer by beating and damaged a police cell intercom while in custody. She also caused criminal damage to £600 worth of products at the Phone Box shop in Ross-on-Wye, and was caught with the illegal drug cannabis in her possession.

She appeared before magistrates on September 24 to answer for her crimes, represented by defence solicitor Chris Read.

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Hardy, of Ross Road, Hereford, pleaded guilty to eight charges of theft, two of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, one of assaulting an emergency worker by beating and one of possessing cannabis.

She was handed a two-year community order with up to 40 days of rehabilitation activities. She must pay a £50 fine and a total of £648.49 in compensation, £400 of which will go to the Phone Box shop, £100 to the police officer she attacked, and the rest to the shops she stole from.

Her cannabis has been ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

She must also pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.